Chess Puzzle #4z9hF — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g2; rooks a1/e1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f5. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks e7/e8; knight h7; pawns a7/c6/c7/d6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf5 — queen c5→f5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exf5 — pawn e4→f5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe1+ (rook e7→e1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxe1 — rook a1→e1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe1+ (rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move exf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p1p1rppn/2pp4/2q2P2/4P3/2N5/PPP3Q1/R3R2K b - - 0 25

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