Chess Puzzle #1QDw9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook b7; knight d6; pawns a2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; rook e1; bishop c7; knight g5; pawns f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook e1→c1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7+ — rook b7→c7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c1→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ne8+ — knight d6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g7→f7).
4. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e8→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1Rb3kp/3N2p1/5pn1/8/7P/P4PPK/4r3 b - - 0 41

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