Chess Puzzle #9v5gt — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen f7; rook d4; knight e2; pawns e6/g4/h3. Black: king c8; queen a3; rook d8; knight d5; pawns a6/b7/c7/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook d8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d4→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxf7+ (rook f8→f7, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: exf7 — pawn e6→f7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen a3→f8).
4. Best move: Rf5 — rook d5→f5.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move Rxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/1pp2Q2/p3P3/3n4/3R2Pp/q6P/4NK2/8 b - - 1 31

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