Chess Puzzle #eef9M — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook a1; knight e6; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/h3. Black: king h7; queen d7; rooks f8/g6; bishop e5; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f5/h6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg3 — rook g6→g3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf8+ — knight e6→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h7→g7).
3. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f8→d7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxh3+ (rook g3→h3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg1 — king h1→g1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, fork, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Nxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/pppq3k/3pN1rp/3Pbp2/2P5/7P/PPQ5/R6K b - - 1 29

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