Chess Puzzle #MKQCZ — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook f8; knight b4; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/h4. Black: king g6; rook d7; bishop f5; pawns a7/b6/d5/e4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a7→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6 — knight b4→c6. Opponent replies Rc7 (rook d7→c7).
3. Best move: Ne5+ — knight c6→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king g6→h5).
4. Best move: Rxf5+ — rook f8→f5, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Rxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5R2/p2r2p1/1p4kp/3p1b2/1N1Pp2P/4P3/PP6/6K1 b - - 0 32

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