Chess Puzzle #HoJog — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rook c1; knight b5; pawns a4/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king d5; rook d7; bishop c5; pawns a5/b6/f5/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke4 — king d5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight b5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e4→d3).
3. Best move: Rd1+ — rook c1→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc3 (king d3→c3, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, skewer. The key move is Nc3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/3r4/1p4pp/pNbkPp2/P4P2/6P1/6KP/2R5 b - - 8 38

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