Chess Puzzle #NuR6m — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rook c1; knights f6/g3; pawns c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b5; rooks a7/e8; bishop d3; pawns a5/c4/d5/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe8 — knight f6→e8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen b5→e8, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen d6→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
4. Best move: Nh5 — knight g3→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, discovered attack, exposed king, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/r4p2/3Q1N1p/pq1p2p1/2pP4/2Pb2N1/5PPP/2R3K1 b - - 3 33

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