Chess Puzzle #Y2M3j — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook d7; knight d4; pawns a2/b3/g2/h3. Black: king e5; queen f4; pawns a7/b7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4 — queen f4→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight d4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf4 (king e5→f4).
3. Best move: Rd4 — rook d7→d4. Opponent replies Qxd4+ (queen e4→d4, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f3→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, endgame, long, pin. The key move is Nf3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp1R3p/6p1/4k3/3N1q2/1P5P/P5P1/6K1 b - - 7 40

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