Chess Puzzle #5UX7C — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook a1; bishop d3; knights c3/h4; pawns a3/b4/d5/e4/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c8/f8; bishop d7; knight g4; pawns a6/b5/d6/e5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxh2 — knight g4→h2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxh2 — king g1→h2, captures knight. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g7→g5).
3. Best move: Ng2 — knight h4→g2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Kxh2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/3b1pp1/p2p1q1p/1p1Pp3/1P2P1nN/P1NB1PP1/3Q3P/R5K1 b - - 0 20

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