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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/d1; pawns a2/c2/c3/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; knight d2; pawns a7/c6/c7/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight d2→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rab1+ — rook a1→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b8→a8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook h8→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qa6 — queen e2→a6. Opponent replies Rd1+ (rook d8→d1, gives check).
5. Best move: Rxd1 — rook b1→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/p1p1qpp1/2p5/8/8/2P1P2P/P1PnQPP1/R2R2K1 b - - 0 17

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