Chess Puzzle #xEhUz — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f5; rooks a1/f1; bishop b2; knight e5; pawns a4/b4/c3/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen e7; rooks d2/h8; bishop a7; knight g5; pawns a6/b7/c7/f7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxh3 — knight g5→h3, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxh3 (pawn g2→h3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qh4 — queen e7→h4. Opponent replies Nd7+ (knight e5→d7, gives check).
4. Best move: Ka8 — king b8→a8.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Nxh3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k5r/bpp1qp2/p7/4NQn1/PP6/2P4P/1B1r2P1/R4R1K w - - 1 26

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