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

Position

White: king h1; queen h6; rooks a6/f1; bishop d3; pawns a4/e4/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks c7/f8; bishop a2; pawns a5/b4/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc3 — rook c7→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rc1+ (rook c3→c1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg2 — king h1→g2. Opponent replies Rg1+ (rook c1→g1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh3 — king g2→h3.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2r2p1p/R3p1pQ/p3q3/Pp2P1P1/3B4/b6P/5R1K b - - 1 32

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