Chess Puzzle #S7p3H — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/f1; bishops b5/c1; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c2/c6/d2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen h4; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/c8; knight g4; pawns a7/c7/e5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h2→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf8 — rook h8→f8. Opponent replies Qxf8+ (queen f3→f8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf8 — king e7→f8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Rf8.

Position data

FEN: r1b4r/p1p1k1p1/2P4p/1Bb1p3/6nq/5Q2/PPPP1PPP/RNB2RK1 w - - 5 12

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