Chess Puzzle #4lPc9 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks a1/h1; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g6; queen c4; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight d7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h5+ — pawn h4→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g6→h6).
3. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight g5→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h6→h7).
4. Best move: Qg6+ — queen g4→g6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Nxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r2/pp1n1pp1/2p1p1k1/6N1/2qP2QP/8/PP3PP1/R5KR b - - 3 16

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