Chess Puzzle #NebqC — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c1; rooks a1/g4; knight g3; pawns a3/b4/c2/d5/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; knight h7; pawns a6/b5/d6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight h7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g4→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king g8→g7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nf5+ — knight g3→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king g7→g8).
4. Best move: Qf4 — queen c1→f4.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/5ppn/pq1p3p/1p1P4/1P4RP/P5N1/2P3PK/R1Q5 b - - 0 24

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