Chess Puzzle #9TyUb — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen h6; rook f3; knight g5; pawns a3/b2/d5/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook g7; knight c5; pawns a5/b5/d6/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb3 — knight c5→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne6 — knight g5→e6. Opponent replies Qe4+ (queen c4→e4, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka2 — king b1→a2. Opponent replies Nc1+ (knight b3→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Ka1 — king a2→a1.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Ne6.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6rp/3p2pQ/ppnPp1N1/2q4P/P4R2/1P4P1/1K6 b - - 3 37

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