Chess Puzzle #9IBfc — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/d3; knights c3/g7; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/d8; bishop c5; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/e4/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg7 — king g8→g7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg5+ — queen d2→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d3→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxf6 — queen g5→f6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/1pq2pNp/p4n2/2b5/4p3/2NR4/PPPQ1PPP/R5K1 b - - 0 18

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