Chess Puzzle #651xo — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e6; rook g2; bishops d4/f1; pawns a2/b2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h1; rooks b4/f8; bishop g6; pawns f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf7 — bishop g6→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g2→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rxf7 — rook g7→f7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxf7 — queen e6→f7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qe4+ (queen h1→e4, gives check).
5. Best move: Be2 — bishop f1→e2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, deflection, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Rxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/6pp/4Qpb1/8/1r1B4/8/PP4RP/4KB1q b - - 0 23

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