Chess Puzzle #hrm5K — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rooks a1/f1; bishops b3/c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/e8; bishop e4; knight f4; pawns a5/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re7 — rook e8→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf4 — rook f1→f4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxf4 (queen h4→f4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe7 — queen d7→e7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qe3+ (queen f4→e3, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/3Q1ppp/3p4/p7/4bn1q/1BB4P/PPP3P1/R4RK1 b - - 1 23

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