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

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/f1; knights c3/g5; pawns a2/b2/e5/f2/g2/g6. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knights b8/e7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh6 — rook h8→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nce4 — knight c3→e4. Opponent replies Nxg6 (knight e7→g6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd6 (bishop f8→d6, captures knight).
4. Best move: exd6 — pawn e5→d6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move is Nce4.

Position data

FEN: rn2kb1r/ppq1n1p1/2p3P1/3pP1Np/8/1QN5/PP3PP1/R4RK1 b kq - 3 16

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