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

Position

White: king h2; rook h7; knights b6/c6; pawns b4/d5/g2/h4. Black: king e7; rook f7; bishop g4; knight d8; pawns d6/e4/f4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight d8→c6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook h7→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king e7→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: dxc6 — pawn d5→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e4→e3).
4. Best move: Kg1 — king h2→g1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, intermezzo, long. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3n4/4kr1R/1NNp4/3P3p/1P2ppbP/8/6PK/8 b - - 9 51

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