Chess Puzzle #5PTtd — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rook d8; knight h4; pawns a2/b2/e4/f6/g5. Black: king f7; rook h7; knight f8; pawns a7/b4/c5/e5/g4/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh5 — rook h7→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook d8→f8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king f7→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxg6+ — knight h4→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
4. Best move: Nxe5+ — knight g6→e5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R1n2/p4k1r/5Pp1/2p1p1P1/1p2P1pN/6K1/PP6/8 b - - 1 40

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