Chess Puzzle #7F9SX — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks e3/f1; pawns c3/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks c8/f8; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf6 — queen f3→f6. Opponent replies Rc5 (rook c8→c5).
3. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies Rh5+ (rook c5→h5, gives check).
4. Best move: Rh3 — rook e3→h3. Opponent replies Rxh6 (rook h5→h6, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rxh6 — rook h3→h6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move is Qf6.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/5p1p/p3p1p1/1p5P/2q5/2P1RQ2/6P1/5R1K b - - 2 29

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