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

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks d1/d4; knight f3; pawns a3/b4/e3/g2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f2; knight g3; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf3 — rook f2→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf3 — queen d5→f3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf3 (queen f6→f3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: gxf3 — pawn g2→f3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, intermezzo, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p3pp1/p4q1p/3Q4/1P1R4/P3PNn1/5rP1/3R2K1 b - - 1 24

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