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

Position

White: king c1; queen c4; rooks d1/f7; bishop e3; knight a4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5. Black: king c8; queen g3; rooks d8/h8; bishop e5; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd7 — knight f6→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bb6 — bishop e3→b6. Opponent replies Qf4+ (queen g3→f4, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxf4 — rook f7→f4, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxf4+ (bishop e5→f4, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kb1 — king c1→b1. Opponent replies Nxb6 (knight d7→b6, captures bishop).
5. Best move: Nxb6+ — knight a4→b6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
6. Best move: Na4 — knight b6→a4.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Nxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/1pp2R2/p2p1n1p/3Pb1p1/N1Q5/4B1q1/PPP5/2KR4 b - - 1 20

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