Chess Puzzle #4HM60 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks c3/d3; knights d1/g4; pawns a3/b2/c2. Black: king d7; queen e5; rook e2; pawns a6/b7/c7/d5/f4/f6/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5 — queen e5→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd5+ — rook d3→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen f5→d5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight g4→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d7→e6).
4. Best move: Nxd5 — knight f6→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, endgame, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1ppk1p2/p4p2/3pq3/5pN1/P1RR4/1PP1r3/1K1N4 b - - 3 35

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