Chess Puzzle #Ej1L9 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g4; rooks h1/h2; knight f4; pawns c3/d4/e5/g5. Black: king g8; rooks b3/f8; knight g6; pawns a6/c4/d5/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook b3→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxg6 — knight f4→g6, captures knight. Opponent replies fxg6 (pawn f7→g6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h2→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rf1+ — rook h1→f1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Nxg6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/5pp1/p3p1n1/3pP1P1/2pP1NK1/1rP5/7R/7R b - - 2 44

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