Chess Puzzle #R7AGt — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c4; rooks d1/e1; bishop c3; pawns a3/b2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d7; rooks a8/d8; knight e7; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen d7→d5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd5 — queen c4→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2r3k/pppqnpp1/7p/3P4/2Q5/P1B5/1P3PPP/2KRR3 b - - 0 18

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