Chess Puzzle #3utS4 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e3; rook a7; knight d4; pawns f2/g4/h5. Black: king f8; rook d8; knight g6; pawns f6/f7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne7 — knight g6→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe7 — rook a7→e7, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxe7 (king f8→e7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nc6+ — knight d4→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
4. Best move: Nxd8 — knight c6→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long, master, sacrifice. The key move Rxe7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/R4p2/5pnp/7P/3N2P1/4K3/5P2/8 b - - 0 41

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