Chess Puzzle #42cUI — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f4; rook a1; bishop f5; knight f3; pawns a4/c2/e6/h2. Black: king c7; queen c6; rooks f8/g5; bishop c5; pawns a7/b7/d4/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb6 — king c7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook a1→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Ka6 (king b6→a6).
3. Best move: Bd3+ — bishop f5→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king a6→a5).
4. Best move: Qd2+ — queen f4→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king a5→a4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Bb5+ — bishop d3→b5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, middlegame, very long. The key move is Rb1+.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/ppk5/2q1P2p/2b2Br1/P2p1Q2/5N2/2P4P/R6K b - - 0 30

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