Chess Puzzle #5RAKU — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c3; rook e1; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f4/g2/g3. Black: king e8; queen e7; rook f8; bishop d7; pawns a6/d5/g5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf4 — pawn g5→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exf4 — pawn e3→f4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Be6 (bishop d7→e6).
3. Best move: Qc6+ — queen c3→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e8→f7).
4. Best move: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Opponent replies Bxf5 (bishop e6→f5, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rxe7+ — rook e1→e7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, pin, very long. The key move Rxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4kr2/3bq1pp/p7/3p2p1/3P1P2/2Q1P1P1/PP4PK/4R3 b - - 1 28

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