Chess Puzzle #rFY12 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rooks c1/f1; knights d4/f5; pawns a3/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks c8/e8; bishop b7; knight f6; pawns a6/b5/c4/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd6 — knight f5→d6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd5 — knight f6→d5. Opponent replies Nxe8 (knight d6→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxb4 — knight d5→b4, captures queen. Opponent replies Nf6+ (knight e8→f6, gives check).
4. Best move: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, trapped piece. The key move is Nd5.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/1b1q1pp1/p4n1p/1p3N2/1QpN4/P3P3/1P3PPP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 23

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