Missed Chances

BlueEyedRook vs. Lockheed

www.redhotpawn.com

White to Move

I missed a key move here. Do you see it?

1. Nf7!! is decisive. It prevents two major problems for black. The obvious point is that the d8 rook is attacked. It has got to move. But 2. Nd6+ leads to a knight fork against the king and e8 rook. How can black avoid this? Simple. It can't!

Start with black's first dilemna: moving the d8 rook. This it can accomplish (anywhere up and down the e8 file). However, note how it cannot prevent the inevitable 2. Nd6+. If 2... Rxd6. 3. Bxd6 leaves white with a solid lead. Of course, if black chooses to not move it's rook, 2. Nxd8 leaves white with a solid advantage.