Chess Puzzle #T4hy4 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen a7; rooks b7/f2; bishop h4; pawns c3/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen d1; rooks f8/g6; knight f4; pawns a6/c4/d5/e4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxh3 — knight f4→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f2→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rbb8 — rook b7→b8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/QR4p1/p5rp/3p4/2p1pnPB/2P4P/5R1K/3q4 b - - 3 33

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