Chess Puzzle #4SMUt — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rook d1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook c8; bishop g7; pawns a7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c8→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qe7 — queen b7→e7. Opponent replies Rc1+ (rook c2→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Ng1 — knight f3→g1. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
5. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen e7→f8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, very long. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pQ3pbp/4p1p1/5q2/8/5N1P/PP4P1/3R3K b - - 0 27

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