Chess Puzzle #PeOr7 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen b2; rooks e2/e7; knight d3; pawns c3/d4/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen c4; rooks d8/f8; knight a6; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc7 — knight a6→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7+ — rook e7→c7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc7 (king c8→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Re7+ — rook e2→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c7→d6).
4. Best move: Qxb7 — queen b2→b7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qd5+ (queen c4→d5, gives check).
5. Best move: Kg1 — king g2→g1.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, defensive move, deflection, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1r2/pp2R1pp/n1p5/8/2qP4/2PN2P1/1Q2R1KP/8 b - - 2 25

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