Chess Puzzle #qut5l — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rook c2; knight c7; pawns b4/c3/d6/h2. Black: king g7; rook b3; bishop a1; pawns a6/b5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop a1→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies Bf6 (bishop c3→f6).
3. Best move: Ne8+ — knight c7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g7→f8).
4. Best move: Nxf6 — knight e8→f6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is d7.

Position data

FEN: 8/2N2pkp/p2P2p1/1p6/1P6/1rP5/2R3KP/b7 b - - 0 43

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