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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/g6; pawns a2/c3/d4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks f8/h8; bishop d7; knights c6/d5; pawns a7/b7/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ba3+ — bishop c1→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
4. Best move: Rf1 — rook a1→f1. Opponent replies Ne2+ (knight c3→e2, gives check).
5. Best move: Kg2 — king g1→g2.

Tactical themes

attraction, clearance, defensive move, equality, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rkr/pp1b2p1/2n1p1B1/3n4/3P4/2P3P1/P6P/R1B2RK1 b - - 0 22

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