Chess Puzzle #02Tte — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; knights c3/e2; pawns a3/b4/d4/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f5; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/d5/f3/g7/h4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf3 — pawn g2→f3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxf3+ — rook f5→f3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h3→g2).
3. Best move: Qg5+ — queen d8→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf3 (king g2→f3, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rf8+ — rook a8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Nf4 (knight e2→f4).
5. Best move: Rxf4+ — rook f8→f4, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/pp4p1/2n5/3p1r2/1P1P3p/P1N2p1K/4NPP1/R2Q1R2 w - - 0 22

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