Chess Puzzle #lJb24 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; knights b6/f3; pawns a4/b5/g2. Black: king g8; queen g3; bishop d4; knight f2; pawns a5/b7/d6/e7/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4+ — knight f2→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f3→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qe3+ (queen g3→e3, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Opponent replies e6 (pawn e7→e6).
4. Best move: Qg4+ — queen f5→g4, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, hanging piece, long. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p2pp1p/1N1p4/pP3Q2/P2b4/5Nq1/5nP1/6K1 b - - 3 29

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