Chess Puzzle #E98sM — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rook g3; knight h5; pawns c3/d4/e6/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook b2; knight e4; pawns c4/d5/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg5 — pawn h4→g5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b2→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Nxf2 — knight e4→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxh6+ (pawn g5→h6, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Nxg4+ — knight f2→g4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Nxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4q3/4P2p/3p2pN/2pPn1QP/2P3R1/1r3PP1/6K1 w - - 1 36

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