Chess Puzzle #kR6f7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook f1; bishops d3/h6; knights c3/e5; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen d4; rook a8; bishops c5/e6; knights b8/h5; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight h5→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf6+ — rook f1→f6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight e5→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc6 (knight b8→c6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxe6+ — rook f6→e6, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Rxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn3k2/pp4p1/2p1b2B/2bpN2n/3q4/2NBQ2P/PPP3P1/5RK1 b - - 1 19

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