Chess Puzzle #U7yHu — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook d1; bishop e3; knights b5/d4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen e7; rook h8; bishops e6/f8; knights c6/f7; pawns a6/b7/c7/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nfd8 — knight f7→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc6 — knight d4→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Nxc6 (knight d8→c6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Na7+ — knight b5→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Nxa7 (knight c6→a7, captures knight).
4. Best move: Bxg5 — bishop e3→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nc6 (knight a7→c6).
5. Best move: Bxe7 — bishop g5→e7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Nxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k2b1r/1pp1qn1p/p1n1b3/1N4p1/Q2N4/4B3/PPP2PPP/3R2K1 b - - 1 17

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