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

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks b3/e1; knight b5; pawns a2/c2/c3/e3/e5/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c6; rooks a8/c8; bishop e4; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc2 — bishop e4→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd4 — knight b5→d4. Opponent replies Qc4 (queen c6→c4).
3. Best move: Qa3+ — queen a6→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
4. Best move: Nxc2 — knight d4→c2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Nd4.

Position data

FEN: r1r2k2/p4pp1/Qpq1p3/1N1pP2p/4b3/1RP1P2P/P1P3P1/4R1K1 b - - 11 25

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