Chess Puzzle #HbeS5 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d5; rook f1; knight e5; pawns g5/h2. Black: king g8; queen c3; rook f8; knight c1; pawns c4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd3 — knight c1→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7 — knight e5→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qd2+ (queen c3→d2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg3 — king g2→g3. Opponent replies Qe3+ (queen d2→e3, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh4 — king g3→h4.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/5ppp/8/3QN1P1/2p5/2q5/6KP/2n2R2 b - - 1 35

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