Chess Puzzle #8mSSs — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a1/e4; bishops c1/f3; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g3; rooks a8/f8; bishop e6; knights d4/f5; pawns a7/b7/c5/d6/e5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh4 — knight f5→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight d5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Nh5 — knight f6→h5. Opponent replies Qg6 (queen g3→g6).
4. Best move: Rxh4 — rook e4→h4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Nf6+.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp3p1p/3pb3/2pNpn2/2PnR3/3P1BqP/PP4P1/R1BQ3K b - - 3 18

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