Chess Puzzle #t7d9T — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks a1/e1; bishop b2; knight d2; pawns a2/b3/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen c7; rooks e8/h8; bishop d6; knight f6; pawns a6/c5/d4/g4/g5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1 — rook a1→e1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook h8→g8).
3. Best move: Ne4 — knight d2→e4. Opponent replies Rg6 (rook g8→g6).
4. Best move: Nxg5+ — knight e4→g5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f7→g8).
5. Best move: Qh4 — queen h6→h4.

Tactical themes

equality, exposed king, middlegame, very long. The key move Nxg5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r2r/2q2k1p/p2b1n1Q/2p3p1/3p2p1/1P6/PBPN1PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 1 22

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