Chess Puzzle #M7Fx2 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rook h1; knights c3/g5; pawns a2/b2/b3/d3/f2/g6. Black: king g7; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/c5/e4/e5/f7/g4. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg6 — king g7→g6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ngxe4 — knight g5→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rh8 (rook f8→h8).
3. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h1→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxh8 (queen d8→h8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qg5+ — queen d2→g5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Ngxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1r2/1b3pk1/p5P1/1pp1p1N1/4p1p1/1PNP4/PP1Q1P2/2K4R b - - 0 21

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