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

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks f1/h4; knight d2; pawns a2/b3/c3/e3/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen d7; rooks a8/e5; bishop d6; knights b2/h5; pawns a6/b7/c7/d5/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook a8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf8 (bishop d6→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nf3 — knight d2→f3.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r6k/1ppq2p1/p2bp1Q1/3pr2n/6PR/1PP1P2P/Pn1N4/5RK1 b - - 2 24

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