Chess Puzzle #g3sNM — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks f1/g3; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen d2; rook a8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook a8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf5+ — rook f1→f5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
3. Best move: Rf2 — rook f5→f2. Opponent replies Qc1+ (queen d2→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Rf1 — rook f2→f1. Opponent replies Qxb2 (queen c1→b2, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rxg8 — rook g3→g8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, very long. The key move Rxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/pp1n1k2/2p1p3/4Pp2/3P4/1BP3R1/PP1q2PP/5RK1 b - - 5 25

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