Chess Puzzle #eh4nc — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen g4; bishop c3; knight b7; pawns c5/d4/e5/f4/h2. Black: king f7; queen a4; bishop g7; knight d5; pawns c6/e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight b7→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
3. Best move: Qh4+ — queen g4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e7→d7).
4. Best move: Qxh7 — queen h4→h7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1N3kbp/2p1p1p1/2PnP3/q2P1PQ1/2B4K/7P/8 b - - 4 36

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