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

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; rook a1; bishop a4; knights a2/f3; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen g3; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/f2; pawns a6/b7/e2/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh4+ — queen g3→h4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxh4 — knight f3→h4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook f8→d8).
3. Best move: Qf3 — queen c3→f3. Opponent replies e1=R+ (pawn e2→e1, promotes to rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxe1 — rook a1→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, long, middlegame. The key move Nxh4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/1p3ppp/p7/8/B6P/P1Q2Nq1/NPP1pbP1/R6K b - - 3 29

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