Chess Puzzle #51MPt — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a3; rook e1; knight c4; pawns a2/b3/h6. Black: king g8; queen f3; pawns a7/c5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Ne5+ — knight c4→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe8 (king f7→e8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nxf3 — knight e5→f3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long, master. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4p1p/6pP/2p5/2N5/KP3q2/P7/4R3 b - - 1 35

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