Chess Puzzle #Srcct — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen b4; rooks a1/g1; bishop f1; knight g3; pawns a2/c3/d4/e3/f4/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight c4; pawns a6/b5/c7/d5/e4/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf4+ — rook f8→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exf4 — pawn e3→f4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf4+ (queen h4→f4, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg2 — king f2→g2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move exf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/2p3pp/p3p3/1p1p4/1QnPpP1q/2P1P1NP/P4K2/R4BR1 b - - 5 22

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