Chess Puzzle #Nc96m — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook f1; knight g4; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/e4/f2/g3. Black: king f7; queen b6; rooks g8/h6; knight g6; pawns a7/c6/c7/d6/e5/f6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh4 — knight g6→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxh6+ — knight g4→h6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f7→e6).
3. Best move: Qh5 — queen f3→h5. Opponent replies Rxg3+ (rook g8→g3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Nxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/p1p2k2/1qpp1pnr/4p3/4P1N1/P2P1QP1/1PP2P2/5RK1 b - - 2 27

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