Chess Puzzle #3M23C — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/d3; knight h3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f5/g2. Black: king e8; queen h4; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/g3; knight g4; pawns a7/c6/d7/e7/f7/h5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf2+ — knight g4→f2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxf2 (bishop g3→f2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf2 — queen e2→f2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxf2 (queen h4→f2, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nxf2 — knight h3→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/p2ppp2/2p4p/5P1p/4P1nq/3B2bN/PPP1Q1P1/R1B2R1K b kq - 9 19

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