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

Position

White: king f1; queen b4; rook d1; knight f3; pawns a5/e4/g2/g3/h2. Black: king b8; queen d7; rook c3; bishop d4; pawns a6/b7/e5/e6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c3→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe5 — knight f3→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qb5+ (queen d7→b5, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxb5 — queen b4→b5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rf2+ (rook c2→f2, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke1 — king f1→e1.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Nxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1p1q4/p3p2p/P3p1p1/1Q1bP3/2r2NP1/6PP/3R1K2 b - - 6 30

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