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

Position

White: king g2; queen d1; rooks a1/f7; knights b1/e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/h3. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops b7/f8; pawns a6/b6/c5/e4/e6/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd3+ — pawn e4→d3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb7 — rook f7→b7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qg5+ (queen d8→g5, gives check).
3. Best move: Ng4 — knight e5→g4. Opponent replies Qd5+ (queen g5→d5, gives check).
4. Best move: Qf3 — queen d1→f3.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Rxb7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qkb1r/1b3R2/pp2p1p1/2p1N3/4p3/2PP3P/PP4K1/RN1Q4 b kq - 0 18

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