Chess Puzzle #tttth — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook f1; knight g5; pawns a4/b2/e3/e5/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c8/f8; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc4 — rook c8→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Re4 (rook c4→e4).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f7→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qf1+ — queen d3→f1, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, kingside attack, long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/5p2/pq2p1p1/1p1pP1Np/P6P/3QP3/1P4P1/5RK1 b - - 2 23

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