Chess Puzzle #Zi9ab — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; bishop f3; pawns a3/b3/d5/f2/g2/h4. Black: king h7; queen d6; bishop g6; knight c5; pawns a5/b6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd3 — knight c5→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies Ne5 (knight d3→e5).
3. Best move: hxg6+ — pawn h5→g6, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move hxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5ppk/1p1q2bp/p1nP4/7P/PP2QB2/5PP1/6K1 b - - 0 36

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