Chess Puzzle #5aq1G — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c3/e1; knight e5; pawns d4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; knight f6; pawns d5/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook c8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king h7→h8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nf7+ — knight e5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
5. Best move: Nxd6 — knight f7→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, sacrifice, very long. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6pp/3qpn2/3pN3/3P4/2R4P/6P1/4R1K1 b - - 0 26

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