Chess Puzzle #sbk5W — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d5; rooks b1/c3; knight b2; pawns d6/e5/f5/g2/h2. Black: king d7; rooks b4/b8; knight c5; pawns a5/c4/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxe5 — pawn f6→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4 — knight b2→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxb1 (rook b4→b1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxe5+ — knight c4→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
4. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c3→c5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, endgame, equality, exposed king, long, sacrifice. The key move Nxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/3k2p1/3P1p1p/p1nKPP2/1rp5/2R5/1N4PP/1R6 b - - 2 32

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