Chess Puzzle #H7ZMj — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook b7; knight f3; pawns c5/d4/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; rook d1; knight f5; pawns d5/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight f5→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f3→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd4 (rook d1→d4, captures knight).
3. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies Rc4 (rook d4→c4).
4. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1R4pp/5p2/2Pp1n2/3P4/5NP1/5PPK/3r4 b - - 0 27

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