Chess Puzzle #TJc2K — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks f1/g3; knight d6; pawns e3/e4/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen b4; rooks a8/f8; knight g6; pawns a3/e5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7 — knight d6→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nf4 (knight g6→f4).
3. Best move: exf4 — pawn e3→f4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxa8 — queen c6→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Nxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/5ppk/2QN2np/4p3/1q2P3/p3P1RP/6P1/5RK1 b - - 1 31

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