Chess Puzzle #ExyN6 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen h3; rooks g1/h1; knights e2/e4; pawns a2/b2/c4/f4. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop f6; knights d4/g4; pawns a7/b7/c7/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh6 — knight g4→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6 — queen h3→h6, captures knight. Opponent replies Nxe2+ (knight d4→e2, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: Kc2 — king c1→c2. Opponent replies Qd1+ (queen d8→d1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxd1 — king c2→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxh6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/ppp2pp1/4pb2/8/2PnNPn1/7Q/PP2N3/2K3RR b - - 1 16

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