Chess Puzzle #k3THq — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e2; rook d7; knight e5; pawns c2/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks b8/f8; pawns a4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook b8→b2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7 — knight e5→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxe6 — queen e2→e6, captures pawn. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d5→d4).
4. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
5. Best move: Qe4+ — queen e6→e4, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
6. Best move: Qe8 — queen e4→e8.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, crushing, discovered attack, endgame, pin, very long. The key move Nxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/3R1pp1/4p2p/3pN3/p7/6P1/q1P1QPPK/8 b - - 3 30

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