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

Position

White: king g1; rooks c6/d1; bishop e2; pawns a3/b4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e5; rooks a8/d8; bishop e6; pawns a6/d5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd6 — rook d8→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: f4+ — pawn f2→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf4 (king e5→f4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook c6→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is f4+.

Position data

FEN: r2r4/5p1p/p1R1b1p1/3pk3/1P6/P6P/4BPP1/3R2K1 b - - 5 25

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