Chess Puzzle #I1aXZ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; rook f6; bishop e4; knight d5; pawns a4/b2/g4/h5. Black: king h8; queen e1; rook g7; pawns d6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen e1→e4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f6→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook g7→g8).
3. Best move: Rxg8+ — rook f8→g8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg8 (king h8→g8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nf6+ — knight d5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
5. Best move: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, very long. The key move Rxg8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7k/6r1/3p1R1p/3N2pP/P3B1P1/8/KP6/4q3 b - - 0 36

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