Chess Puzzle #cVCX0 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d7; knight c7; pawns a2/b2/c3/d6. Black: king h6; rooks a8/e8; bishop c5; knight c4; pawns a4/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rad8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh3+ — queen d7→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h6→g7).
3. Best move: Nxe8+ — knight c7→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qd7+ — queen h3→d7, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long. The key move Nxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r3/2NQ3p/3P1ppk/2b5/p1n5/2P5/PP6/1K6 b - - 4 38

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