Chess Puzzle #7Rhxz — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen c5; rooks a1/b7; knight f3; pawns a4/c3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g2; rooks c8/f8; knight c6; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3+ — queen g2→f3, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxf3 — king e2→f3, captures queen. Opponent replies Ne5+ (knight c6→e5, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke3 — king f3→e3. Opponent replies Rxc5 (rook c8→c5, captures queen).
4. Best move: Kd4 — king e3→d4. Opponent replies Rfc8 (rook f8→c8).
5. Best move: Kxe5 — king d4→e5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, very long. The key move Kxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1R3ppp/2n1p3/2Qp4/P7/2P2NP1/4KPqP/R7 b - - 1 24

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