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

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; knights e5/g5; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f4; bishops c8/d6; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/d4/d5/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1+ — rook f4→f1, captures rook, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf1 — rook a1→f1, captures rook. Opponent replies Nf6 (knight d7→f6).
3. Best move: Qg6 — queen h5→g6.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/ppqn2p1/3bp3/3pN1NQ/3p1r2/P7/1PP3PP/R4RK1 b - - 3 17

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