Chess Puzzle #Pn8X6 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks g1/h1; bishop b2; knight g5; pawns a4/e4/f2/g2/h7. Black: king g7; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; bishop h8; knight c6; pawns b7/c5/d4/f6/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa4 — rook a8→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf3 — knight g5→f3. Opponent replies Ra1+ (rook a4→a1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxa1 — king b1→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Ra8+ (rook f8→a8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kb1 — king a1→b1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Nf3.

Position data

FEN: r4r1b/1p3pkP/1qn2p2/2p3N1/P2pP3/8/1B1Q1PP1/1K4RR b - - 0 29

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