Chess Puzzle #vVF88 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g6; rooks h1/h7; knight c3; pawns b2/c2/d4/f3/g4. Black: king f8; queen c7; rooks a8/e8; bishops a4/g7; pawns b7/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf7 — queen c7→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Nxd5+ — knight c3→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies exd5 (pawn e6→d5, captures knight).
4. Best move: Re1+ — rook h1→e1, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Nxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3rk2/1pq3bR/4p1Q1/3p4/b2P2P1/2N2P2/1PP5/2K4R b - - 4 27

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