Chess Puzzle #35RR3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/g2; knights c3/f7; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/g7; knights b8/e4; pawns a7/b7/c6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8 — queen d1→d8, captures queen. Opponent replies Ne2+ (knight c3→e2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook f8→d8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nxd8 — knight f7→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, opening, pin. The key move Qxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rnbq1rk1/pp3Nbp/2p3p1/8/4n3/2N3P1/PPP2PBP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 10

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