Chess Puzzle #3XdkF — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks e1/h1; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2/e5/g2/g4. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks c8/e8; bishop e6; knight d7; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h1→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Qh4+ — queen g3→h4, gives check. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
4. Best move: exf6+ — pawn e5→f6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move exf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/1pqn1pp1/p3b3/4P3/6P1/P1N3Q1/1PP3P1/4R1KR b - - 4 27

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