Chess Puzzle #1ZKgD — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f2; rooks f1/f3; knight e3; pawns a4/b5/c4/d5/e4/g3/g4/h5. Black: king h7; queen f8; rooks d8/f7; knight b8; pawns a5/b6/c5/d6/e5/f6/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh8 — queen f8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f3→f6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxf6 (rook f7→f6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf6 — queen f2→f6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen h8→f6, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1n1r1q2/5r1k/1p1p1p1p/pPpPp1pP/P1P1P1P1/4NRP1/5Q1K/5R2 b - - 18 39

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