The key feature of this position is the kernel of a discovery for White on the e-file leading towards Black’s king. At the moment the bishop on e7 is in the way; it makes a poor target in itself, because it’s guarded and less valuable than the rook that would be able to capture it. But the position would get more interesting (because it would involve discovered check) if the bishop could be captured and replaced by the king—and likewise if the bishop could be drawn away from the e-file. White considers whatever checks he can give and finds that 1. Qf8+ has the desired effect, forcing Black to play BxQ to protect his king. Now the discovery is arranged, but to what end? It had better be good, since a queen sacrifice was needed to get there. Black’s king is in the type of cramped position you should associate with mating possibilities, so think about using both pieces in the discovery to go after it. 2. Ng7++ is the answer, inflicting a double check that requires the king to move to d8. Look for the next check. Here it’s Re8—mate. (Notice that 2. Nc7++ works as well as 2. Ng7++; again Black’s king is forced to d8, and again White mates with Re8. It might seem that if White plays Nxc7 Black could then escape a move later with KxN, but White’s bishop protects the knight from h2.)

The details differ, but at a higher level of generality our current pattern thus repeats: queen sacrifice; check; checkmate.