Chess Puzzle #MN5Z2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen g3; rooks a1/f1; bishop e6; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen h6; rook c8; bishops e2/e3; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/d6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf1 — bishop e2→f1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook a1→f1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Bxc8 — bishop e6→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k2/pp5p/3pB1pq/4n3/4P3/2P1b1Q1/PPK1b1PP/R4R2 b - - 2 24

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