Chess Puzzle #V5MEl — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b8; rooks a1/e1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen f6; rooks e8/h5; bishops d6/d7; pawns b7/c7/e5/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king d8→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd5+ — knight c3→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king e7→e6).
3. Best move: Nxf6 — knight d5→f6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook e8→b8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nxh5 — knight f6→h5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Nd5+.

Position data

FEN: 1Q1kr3/1ppb1pp1/3b1q2/4p2r/8/2N5/PPP2PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 2 17

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