Chess Puzzle #7CIOt — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop a5; knights e6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook h8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6 — knight d5→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen d8→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qh5+ — queen f3→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f7→g8).
4. Best move: Qxa5 — queen h5→a5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Nxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q3r/ppp2kp1/3pnn1p/b2N4/4P3/5Q1P/PP3PP1/R1B2RK1 b - - 3 17

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