Chess Puzzle #25ruX — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook e4; knights f2/f7; pawns a2/f6/g5/h3. Black: king f8; queen b2; rooks c8/d8; bishops f1/h8; pawns a5/b4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook d8→d1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxh8 — knight f7→h8, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bxh3+ (bishop f1→h3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Opponent replies Qxf2+ (queen b2→f2, captures knight, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxf2 — queen h4→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Nxh8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rr1k1b/5N1p/5Pp1/p5P1/1p2R2Q/7P/Pq3N2/5bK1 b - - 1 32

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