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

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c4; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops b7/h6; knights b8/d5; pawns a6/b6/c7/e6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne7 — knight d5→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ng5+ — knight e4→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h7→g7).
3. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f1→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nxe6+ — knight g5→e6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn1q1r2/1bp2p1k/pp2p1pb/3nP3/2BPN3/7Q/PPP3PP/R4RK1 b - - 1 15

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