Chess Puzzle #95sHb — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f8; rooks b1/f1; knight d5; pawns a3/e4/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen d8; rook c8; bishop c3; pawns a6/b5/d6/e7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf8 — queen d8→f8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8 — rook f1→f8, captures queen. Opponent replies Bd4+ (bishop c3→d4, gives check).
3. Best move: Rf2 — rook f8→f2. Opponent replies Rc2 (rook c8→c2).
4. Best move: Rf1 — rook b1→f1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, long. The key move Rxf8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rq1Q2/4p2k/p2p2pp/1p1N4/4P3/P1b5/6PP/1R3RK1 b - - 0 25

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