Chess Puzzle #4PJa3 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks c7/f1; knight h4; pawns a3/b2/d3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a8; rook f6; bishop h3; knight f5; pawns b5/d6/e5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfc1 — rook f1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxh4 — knight f5→h4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rc8+ (rook c7→c8, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxc8 — bishop h3→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxh4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: q5k1/2R3p1/3p1r1p/1p2pn1Q/7N/P2P2Pb/1P3P1P/5RK1 w - - 3 21

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