Chess Puzzle #i5NWv — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen b3; rook e6; knight f3; pawns f2/h4/h6. Black: king h8; queen h3; rook c8; bishop c3; pawns b4/b7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook e6→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
3. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h6→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g7→h7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Ng5+ — knight f3→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king h7→h6).
5. Best move: Nxh3 — knight g5→h3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/1p4p1/4R2P/8/1p5P/1Qb2N1q/4KP2/8 b - - 4 32

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