Chess Puzzle #y9JS6 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook f1; knights b5/g4; pawns a4/b3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook c6; bishop f6; knight d7; pawns a5/d5/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd4+ — bishop f6→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight b5→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxd4+ (queen b6→d4, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Opponent replies Nf6 (knight d7→f6).
4. Best move: Qg3 — queen f3→g3.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3n2pp/1qr1pb2/pN1p4/P2P2N1/1P3Q1P/6P1/5RK1 b - - 1 26

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