Chess Puzzle #5HNHL — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks e1/f7; bishop e4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2. Black: king c6; queen d6; rooks a8/g8; knight h7; pawns a6/b5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb6 — king c6→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb7+ — rook f7→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king b6→a5).
3. Best move: Bc2 — bishop e4→c2. Opponent replies Rgb8 (rook g8→b8).
4. Best move: b4+ — pawn b2→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb4 (queen d6→b4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: cxb4+ — pawn c3→b4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move cxb4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/5Rpn/p1kq3p/1p6/3PB3/2P5/PP4P1/4R2K b - - 2 26

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