Chess Puzzle #x4vY5 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g5; rooks f1/h3; knight e5; pawns a2/b3/d3/e3/f4/f6/h2. Black: king g8; queen d2; rooks c2/d8; bishop e8; knight g6; pawns a5/b5/d5/e6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook c2→c1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf3 — rook h3→f3. Opponent replies Rxf1+ (rook c1→f1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxf1 — rook f3→f1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, master, middlegame, quiet move, short. The key move is Rf3.

Position data

FEN: 3rb1k1/5p1p/4pPn1/pp1pN1Q1/5P2/1P1PP2R/P1rq3P/5R1K b - - 8 27

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