Chess Puzzle #4cDXk — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen h5; rook h1; bishops d2/f1; knights g5/h4; pawns d4/f5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a1; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knights b6/d5; pawns a7/c4/c6/e7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxg6 — knight h4→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nc3+ (knight d5→c3, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop d2→c3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, master, middlegame, short. The key move Nxg6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2bkr/p3p1pp/1np5/3n1PNQ/2pP3N/7P/3BK1P1/q4B1R b - - 1 21

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