Chess Puzzle #1Jn70 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; bishops a2/g1; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2. Black: king g8; queen h1; rooks d8/f8; bishop g3; knight f5; pawns a4/f7/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight c3→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nh4 — knight f5→h4. Opponent replies Nf6+ (knight e4→f6, gives check).
3. Best move: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qg4+ (queen e2→g4, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move is Nh4.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/5pp1/8/5n2/p7/P1N3b1/BPP1Q3/R3RKBq w - - 0 27

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