Chess Puzzle #bI1Ef — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e2; rooks d1/d3; bishop a2; knight e4; pawns a3/c2/f3/h3. Black: king e8; queen f4; rooks d8/h8; bishop e7; knight d7; pawns a6/c5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight d7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d3→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop e7→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
4. Best move: Nc8+ — knight d6→c8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rk2r/3nbppp/p3p3/2p5/4Nq2/P2R1P1P/B1P1Q3/1K1R4 b k - 2 20

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