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

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks a1/e1; bishop g3; knight e7; pawns a5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d5; rooks d8/h8; bishop d6; knight c3; pawns a6/c7/e6/f7/g4/h4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd7 — king c8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxf4 (bishop d6→f4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nf6+ — knight d5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d7→e7).
4. Best move: Bxf4 — bishop g3→f4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, intermezzo, long, middlegame. The key move Nxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/2p1Np2/p2bp3/P2q4/5Qpp/2n3B1/5PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 3 26

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