Chess Puzzle #C9wmK — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f3; rook f1; knight f6; pawns a2/b2/e5. Black: king g7; queen h6; rook c8; bishop e7; pawns a7/e6/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook c8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb7 — queen f3→b7. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook f8→f7).
3. Best move: Ne8+ — knight f6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g7→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f1→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king f8→f7, captures rook).
5. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e8→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f7→g8).
6. Best move: Qxe7 — queen b7→e7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, discovered attack, endgame, pin, very long. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p3b1k1/4pNpq/4P2p/8/5Q2/PP6/1K3R2 b - - 9 36

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