Chess Puzzle #Nx9Dj — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen e4; knights c3/e2; pawns d3/g3/h2. Black: king e7; queen c5; rook b2; bishop a6; pawns a7/c7/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb4 — rook b2→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen e4→b4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxb4 (queen c5→b4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nd5+ — knight c3→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king e7→e6).
4. Best move: Nxb4 — knight d5→b4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, equality, exposed king, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1p1k1p1/b6p/2q1p3/4Q3/2NP1KP1/1r2N2P/8 b - - 3 30

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