Chess Puzzle #GXniY — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks e1/f1; bishop d2; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g7; rooks a8/f8; bishop d7; knight d4; pawns a6/c5/c6/e6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf3+ — knight d4→f3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf3 — rook f1→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxf3 (rook f8→f3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bh6 — bishop d2→h6. Opponent replies Qg6 (queen g7→g6).
4. Best move: Re4 — rook e1→e4. Opponent replies Rf5 (rook f3→f5).
5. Best move: Rg4 — rook e4→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/3b2q1/p1p1p3/2p1P3/2Pn3Q/3P4/PP1B2PP/4RRK1 b - - 4 27

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