Chess Puzzle #VAlFF — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rook f2; knight h4; pawns a3/b2/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook e7; bishops d5/g7; pawns a6/b5/f6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen c4→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf5 — knight h4→f5. Opponent replies Qxd2 (queen d4→d2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxe7+ — knight f5→e7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rxd2 — rook f2→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Nxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4r1b1/p4p2/1p1b4/2qP3N/P7/1P1Q1RPP/7K b - - 1 31

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