Chess Puzzle #snek5 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rook d1; knights d2/d4; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king f6; rook d3; bishops e3/e4; pawns a6/b5/f5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop e3→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4+ — knight d2→e4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies fxe4 (pawn f5→e4, captures knight).
3. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c3→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a6→a5).
4. Best move: Rxd3 — rook d1→d3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, intermezzo, long. The key move Nxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p4k1p/1p3pp1/3Nb3/2Prb3/PP1NK1PP/3R4 b - - 3 32

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