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

Position

White: king a1; queen d6; rook c1; knight d7; pawns a2/d4. Black: king f8; queen f2; rooks e7/h2; pawns d5/f6/g5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke8 — king f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e8→f7).
3. Best move: Rf8+ — rook c8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f7→g6).
4. Best move: Rxf6+ — rook f8→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king g6→h5).
5. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f6→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, fork, very long. The key move Rxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/3Nr3/3Q1p2/3p2p1/3P4/8/P4q1r/K1R5 b - - 4 39

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