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

Position

White: king g1; rooks f1/f7; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen h7; rook a8; bishops g4/g7; pawns a7/b7/c7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook a8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f7→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf8 (bishop g7→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
4. Best move: Rf7+ — rook f8→f7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r6k/ppp2Rbq/8/8/3P2bP/1BP5/PP4P1/5RK1 b - - 1 23

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