Chess Puzzle #5JJgv — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rooks d7/h1; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g5/h3. Black: king g7; rooks c8/f7; knight h5; pawns a7/b6/c6/e7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e7→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook d7→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g7→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f7→e6).
4. Best move: Nxc8 — knight d6→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p2Rprkp/1pp3p1/6Pn/4N3/7P/PPP2P2/2K4R b - - 1 22

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