Chess Puzzle #R4A2n — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks d6/f1; knight g4; pawns f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks a6/f8; knight f6; pawns a5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfa8 — rook f8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight g4→f6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies gxf6 (pawn g7→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qg4+ — queen f4→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Rxa6 — rook d6→a6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, long, middlegame. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/5pp1/r2R1n1p/p7/5QN1/5P2/q5PP/5RK1 b - - 3 32

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