Chess Puzzle #9mpha — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook f1; bishop b4; pawns a2/b3/f2/f7/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rook d8; bishop b6; knight c4; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd6 — knight c4→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxd6 — bishop b4→d6, captures knight. Opponent replies cxd6 (pawn c7→d6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Re1 — rook f1→e1. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook d8→f8).
4. Best move: Re8 — rook e1→e8. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
5. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook e8→f8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/ppp2Pp1/1b5p/8/1Bn5/1P6/P4PPP/5RK1 b - - 1 25

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