Chess Puzzle #3qW4c — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook a7; pawns a5/g2/h3. Black: king f7; bishop e7; knight e4; pawns c6/d5/e5/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke6 — king f7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe7+ — rook a7→e7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe7 (king e6→e7, captures rook).
3. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Nc5 (knight e4→c5).
4. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Ne6 (knight c5→e6).
5. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, promotion, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/R3bkp1/2p3p1/P2pp3/4n3/7P/6P1/6K1 b - - 0 29

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