Chess Puzzle #5AuEx — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h4; queen f1; rook f4; bishop h6; pawns a2/g5/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook d4; pawns a7/b5/c4/e7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5 — queen e6→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook f4→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf1 (queen f5→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rf8+ — rook d8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f7→e6).
5. Best move: Rxf1 — rook f8→f1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, sacrifice, skewer, very long. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p3p2p/4q1pB/1p4P1/2pr1R1K/7P/P7/5Q2 b - - 9 34

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