Chess Puzzle #27tFM — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks e1/e3; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/e8; bishop d5; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rad8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies gxf6 (pawn g7→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e3→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, endgame, kingside attack, long. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp3ppp/2p5/3b4/4N3/4RP2/PPP3PP/4R1K1 b - - 2 20

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