Chess Puzzle #siOc2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks b1/b3; knight e2; pawns a3/c5/e5/g2/h2. Black: king c6; rooks d8/f8; knight c4; pawns b7/d5/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd2 — knight c4→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd4+ — knight e2→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king c6→c5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nxe6+ — knight d4→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king c5→c4).
4. Best move: Rb4+ — rook b3→b4, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r2/1p4pp/2k1p3/2PpP3/2n5/PR6/4N1PP/1R5K b - - 4 27

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