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

Position

White: king h2; queen e6; rooks a1/e1; bishop h3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5. Black: king c8; queen f3; rooks g3/h8; bishop b7; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/c6/d5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook h8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf1 — rook e1→f1. Opponent replies Rxh3+ (rook g3→h3, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxh3 — queen e6→h3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxh3+ (queen f3→h3, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxh3 — king h2→h3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Rf1.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/pb1n4/1pp1Q2p/3pP3/8/2N2qrB/PPP4K/R3R3 b - - 5 23

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