Chess Puzzle #KL256 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d1; rooks b1/g1; bishop d2; knight h5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/h3. Black: king h7; queen d5; rooks a8/g8; bishop g7; knight b8; pawns a6/b5/c5/d4/f4/f5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc6 — knight b8→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g1→g7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg7 (rook g8→g7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nf6+ — knight h5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
4. Best move: Nxd5 — knight f6→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn4r1/6bk/p6p/1ppq1p1N/3p1p2/3P3P/PPPB1P1K/1R1Q2R1 b - - 1 23

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