Chess Puzzle #2rvn8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e2; rook f1; knight b5; pawns a3/b2/c2/e3/e5/g4. Black: king e8; queen d7; rooks a8/h3; pawns a5/b7/c7/d5/e6/f7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c6 — pawn c7→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight b5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f1→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen d7→f7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nxf7 — knight d6→f7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k3/1ppq1pp1/4p1p1/pN1pP3/6P1/P3P2r/1PP1Q3/2K2R2 b q - 1 20

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