Chess Puzzle #2LDn6 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e1; rook d1; bishop g5; knights d5/f3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen a5; rook a8; bishops b7/d6; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nb6+ — knight d5→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb6 (queen a5→b6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxd6+ — rook d1→d6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king d7→d6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe8 — queen e1→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, discovered attack, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/1b1k1ppp/p1nb4/qp1N2B1/8/5N2/PP3PPP/3RQ1K1 b - - 2 18

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