Chess Puzzle #9Itdv — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f3; rooks d1/h1; knight g4; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks b8/f8; bishop g7; pawns a6/c6/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook b8→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight g4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf6 (bishop g7→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxf6 — queen f3→f6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qd5+ (queen d6→d5, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg1 — king g2→g1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Nf6+.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/5pb1/p1pqp1p1/8/3P2N1/5QP1/PP3PK1/3R3R b - - 1 25

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