Chess Puzzle #Jo4t6 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen b3; rooks a1/h1; bishops c3/d3; pawns a2/b2/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks a8/g8; bishop e7; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg2 — rook g8→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kf1 — king e1→f1. Opponent replies Rxf2+ (rook g2→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf2 — king f1→f2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qf4+ (queen c7→f4, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke1 — king f2→e1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move is Kf1.

Position data

FEN: rn2k1r1/ppq1bp1p/2p5/2Pp4/8/1QBB4/PP3PPP/R3K2R b KQq - 2 18

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