Chess Puzzle #8jZst — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks e1/e7; knight g4; pawns a3/d3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks d8/f2; pawns a7/b7/c5/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg2 — rook f2→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxh6+ — knight g4→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Nf7+ — knight h6→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
4. Best move: Nxd8+ — knight f7→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, discovered check, endgame, equality, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Nxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp2R3/7p/2p3p1/6N1/P2P3P/1q3rP1/4R2K b - - 3 26

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