Chess Puzzle #49uwY — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen d4; rooks c4/h1; pawns a3/b2/f3/h4. Black: king a7; queen f7; rooks b5/e5; pawns b7/c6/f6/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb8 — king a7→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b8→a7).
3. Best move: Ra4+ — rook c4→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Ra5 (rook b5→a5).
4. Best move: Rxa5+ — rook a4→a5, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxa5 (rook e5→a5, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qxa5+ — queen d8→a5, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Rxa5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/kp3qp1/2p2p2/1r2r2p/2RQ3P/P4P2/1P6/K6R b - - 15 35

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