Chess Puzzle #3quoR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook a7; bishop b5; knight e6; pawns d5/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; knight d2; pawns d6/e4/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Nf8+ — knight e6→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf8 (queen f6→f8, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxf8 — rook a8→f8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Ra8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/R5p1/3pNq1p/1B1P1p2/4p3/4P2P/3n1PP1/7K b - - 0 32

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