Chess Puzzle #a2h5I — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knights b1/c6; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops d1/d6; knight f6; pawns a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd7 — king e8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd8 — knight c6→d8, captures queen. Opponent replies Bh5 (bishop d1→h5).
3. Best move: Nb7 — knight d8→b7.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/p1p2ppp/2Nb1n2/8/8/8/PPP2PPP/RNBbR1K1 b kq - 0 12

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