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

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks a1/f1; bishops d3/h6; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knights b8/e3; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/f7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf1 — knight e3→f1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf1 — rook a1→f1, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxh6 (queen f6→h6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Ng4 — knight e5→g4. Opponent replies Qg5 (queen h6→g5).
4. Best move: h4 — pawn h2→h4.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Rxf1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rnb2rk1/pp3pp1/2p1pq1B/4N3/3P4/3Bn1Q1/PPP3PP/R4RK1 b - - 1 14

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