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

Position

White: king b1; queen f2; rooks d1/e1; pawns b2/e6/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen f7; rook d8; knights b4/b6; pawns a4/c6/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe6 — queen f7→e6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8 — rook d1→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qa2+ (queen e6→a2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kc1 — king b1→c1. Opponent replies Qa1+ (queen a2→a1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kd2 — king c1→d2. Opponent replies Qxb2+ (queen a1→b2, captures pawn, gives check).
5. Best move: Ke3 — king d2→e3.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, master, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/5qk1/1np1P1pp/8/pn3P2/6P1/1P3Q1P/1K1RR3 b - - 0 34

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