Chess Puzzle #8D0c1 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a1/f2; pawns a2/b2/c4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f8; rook a8; knights f7/h5; pawns a7/b6/c7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f2→f7, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd5 (rook d8→d5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f7→f8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: cxd5 — pawn c4→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, intermezzo, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4qk1/p1p2n1p/1p4p1/3Q3n/2P5/6P1/PP3R1P/R5K1 b - - 0 24

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