Chess Puzzle #3n8En — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d2; bishop c5; knight f3; pawns d4/e6/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e4; knight g6; pawns b5/c6/d5/f5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nh4+ — knight g6→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g2→f1).
3. Best move: Nxf3 — knight h4→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d2→d1).
4. Best move: Kf7 — king g8→f7.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Nh4+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6p1/2p1P1np/1pBp1p2/3Pq3/5N1P/3Q1PK1/8 w - - 1 35

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