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

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks a1/e1; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen d6; rooks a8/g8; bishop c8; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d4/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh3+ — knight f4→h3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3 — queen h4→h3, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxh3 (bishop c8→h3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxd6 — knight e4→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxh3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b3rk/pp5p/2pq1p2/8/3pNn1Q/6P1/PPP2P1P/R3R1K1 b - - 1 21

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