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

Position

White: king g2; queen d2; rooks d7/f1; pawns b4/c3/e4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks f6/f8; pawns b5/c6/e5/e6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2+ — rook f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxf2+ (rook f8→f2, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxf2 — queen d2→f2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf2+ (queen b6→f2, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxf2 — king g2→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxf2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/3R2p1/1qp1pr1p/1p2p3/1P2P2P/2P3P1/3Q1PK1/5R2 b - - 7 38

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