Chess Puzzle #rG2YS — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/g2; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks b8/f8; bishops b6/f5; knight c2; pawns a7/c7/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa1 — knight c2→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Bc6 — bishop g2→c6. Opponent replies Qe6 (queen d7→e6).
4. Best move: Rxe6 — rook e1→e6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

clearance, equality, long, middlegame. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/p1pq1ppp/1b1p4/3N1b2/2P5/6P1/PPn2PBP/R1BQR1K1 b - - 0 15

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