Chess Puzzle #Yr02u — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/e1; bishop h6; knights e4/g3; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/f6; knight d5; pawns a6/c3/d4/d7/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight e4→f6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf6 (rook f8→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen h5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Nh5 — knight g3→h5. Opponent replies Rf5 (rook f6→f5).
5. Best move: Re5 — rook e1→e5. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen b6→d8).
6. Best move: Qxd8 — queen e8→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, kingside attack, middlegame, very long. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/3p2p1/pq2pb1B/3n3Q/3pN3/1Pp3N1/P4PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 19

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