Chess Puzzle #39XAg — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h6; rooks f1/g4; knight b3; pawns a5/b2/c3/d4/e5/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks a8/f3; bishops a7/d7; knight g6; pawns a6/b5/c7/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2+ — rook f3→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf2+ (queen f7→f2, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rg2 — rook g4→g2.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Rxf2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/b1pb1q2/p3p1nQ/Pp1pP3/3P2R1/1NP2r1P/1P3P1K/5R2 b - - 0 28

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