Chess Puzzle #5WsyG — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d3; rooks d1/h1; bishops d4/e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/f4/g5. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops d7/g7; pawns a4/b4/c7/d6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh7 — rook h1→h7, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxc2+ (pawn b3→c2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen d3→c2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rh1+ — rook d1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
5. Best move: Bxg7 — bishop d4→g7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxh7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/2pb2bp/3p2p1/3P2P1/pp1B1P2/3Q4/PPP1B3/1K1R3R b - - 2 21

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