Chess Puzzle #xSrl0 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rooks f1/h6; knights b5/h4; pawns a2/b2/d4/g5/h7. Black: king g7; rooks a8/f8; bishops b8/f7; knight e7; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f1→f7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g7→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rf6+ — rook h6→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f7→g7).
4. Best move: Rxf8 — rook f6→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, exposed king, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rb3r2/pp2nbkP/4p2R/1N1p2P1/3P3N/3K4/PP6/5R2 b - - 4 28

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