Chess Puzzle #9Rkf7 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d2; rook c1; bishops f2/h3; knights c3/g1; pawns a2/b3/e3/f3. Black: king f7; queen a6; rook g8; bishop d3; knight h4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/e6/f6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxg1+ — rook g8→g1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bxg1 (bishop f2→g1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nf3+ — knight h4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king e1→d1).
4. Best move: Nxd2 — knight f3→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxg1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/pp3k1p/q1p1pp2/3p4/7n/1PNbPP1B/P2Q1B2/2R1K1N1 w - - 0 27

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