Chess Puzzle #VlW5t — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c2; bishop b2; knights d6/g2; pawns a3/c4/d5/e4/g3/h3. Black: king h7; queen f1; bishop g5; knights f6/h5; pawns c5/e5/g6/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc3 — bishop b2→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ng4+ — knight f6→g4, gives check. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h3→g4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Nf6 — knight h5→f6. Opponent replies Ne3 (knight g2→e3).
4. Best move: Bxe3 — bishop g5→e3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move is Ng4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/7k/3N1npp/2pPp1bn/2P1P3/P5PP/1BQ3NK/5q2 w - - 1 35

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