Chess Puzzle #Txv1j — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks c1/h5; bishops c2/d2; knight e5; pawns a2/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks c8/e8; bishops a6/d4; knight f6; pawns a7/d5/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd6 — queen c7→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h5→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g8→h8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight e5→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
4. Best move: Nxd6 — knight f7→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Nxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/p1q2pp1/b3pn2/3pN2R/3b1P2/7P/P1BB2P1/2RQ3K b - - 1 27

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