Chess Puzzle #0Q45i — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; rooks f1/f2; bishops a3/g2; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c8/e8; bishop e6; knight f6; pawns a6/b6/c7/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng4 — knight f6→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f2→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf8 (queen d8→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxf8 — bishop a3→f8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rqr1k1/2p3pp/pp2bn2/3Pp3/2P5/BPN3P1/P2KNRBP/5R2 b - - 2 19

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