Chess Puzzle #acWio — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e4/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen b6; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/d6; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d7/f4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook h8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxf4 — bishop c1→f4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxf4 (bishop d6→f4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rxf4+ — rook f1→f4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Rxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b4r/pp1p1kpp/1qpb2n1/7Q/3PPp2/8/PPP1N1PP/R1B2RK1 b - - 2 12

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