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

Position

White: king g1; queen f1; rooks a1/f2; bishops b2/d5; knight c4; pawns a2/b3/c2/d3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/h3; bishops d6/g4; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh2 — rook h3→h2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd6 — knight c4→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qg3+ (queen h4→g3, gives check).
3. Best move: Rg2 — rook f2→g2. Opponent replies Rxg2+ (rook h2→g2, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxg2 — queen f1→g2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Nxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp3ppp/2nb4/2pB4/2N3bq/1P1P3r/PBP2R2/R4QK1 b - - 1 18

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