Chess Puzzle #I7XwX — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c7; rook h8; bishop e3; knight d4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4/g5. Black: king e7; queen f7; rook a8; bishops d7/g7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh8 — rook a8→h8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight d4→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e7→f8).
3. Best move: Bc5+ — bishop e3→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
4. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c6→e7, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Nxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r6R/ppQbkqb1/2p1p3/3p1pP1/3N1P2/4B3/PPP5/2K5 b - - 11 27

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