Chess Puzzle #Ex2FX — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h4; queen d7; rook c7; knight g5; pawns e5/f4/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen a3; rook f8; bishop g7; pawns b5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa1 — queen a3→a1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7 — knight g5→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bf6+ (bishop g7→f6, gives check).
3. Best move: exf6 — pawn e5→f6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxf6+ (queen a1→f6, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Ng5 — knight f7→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Nxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2RQ1pbp/4p1p1/1p2P1N1/5PPK/q6P/8/8 b - - 3 35

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