Chess Puzzle #3nz66 — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h3; rook d7; knight e5; pawns a3/d4/f4/h2. Black: king e8; queen g1; pawns d5/e6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen g1→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd8 (king e8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nc6+ — knight e5→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king d8→d7).
4. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/3R4/4p2p/3pN3/3P1P2/P6K/7P/6q1 b - - 12 49

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