Chess Puzzle #1pLrq — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks f1/f3; bishop d3; pawns a2/b3/f5/g5/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks e5/f8; bishop b7; pawns a4/b5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf5 — rook e5→f5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf5 — rook f3→f5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qh1+ (queen d5→h1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf2 — king g1→f2. Opponent replies Qxh2+ (queen h1→h2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke1 — king f2→e1.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1b3ppp/8/1p1qrPP1/p7/1P1B1R2/P2Q3P/5RK1 b - - 8 31

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