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

Position

White: king g1; rook d8; knights d6/e8; pawns a4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen c6; bishop f8; pawns c3/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh6 — king g7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight d6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king h6→h5).
3. Best move: Rd5+ — rook d8→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen c6→d5, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e8→f6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move Nxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3RNb2/5pkp/2qN2p1/8/P7/2p4P/5PP1/6K1 b - - 3 38

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