Chess Puzzle #xYc4c — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; rooks c1/f2; knight e2; pawns a3/g5/h4. Black: king d6; rooks b2/h8; bishop e4; pawns a7/c5/d4/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook h8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ng3 — knight e2→g3. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook b2→f2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxe4+ — knight g3→e4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king d6→d5).
4. Best move: Nxf2 — knight e4→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Nxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7r/p4p2/3k2p1/2p3P1/3pb2P/P7/1r2NR2/2R1K3 b - - 3 39

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