Chess Puzzle #1MHOX — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; knight e3; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h6; queen g5; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng4+ — knight e3→g4, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxg4 — queen g5→g4, captures knight. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h3→g4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight f4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
4. Best move: Nxd4 — knight e2→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxg4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp3p1p/2p3pk/6q1/2PQ1n2/4N2P/PP3PP1/6K1 w - - 9 26

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