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

Position

White: king g3; queen f3; rook d5; pawns a3/c3/f6/h5. Black: king h8; queen c2; rook e8; pawns a4/b3/c4/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4 — queen c2→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen f3→e4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe4 (rook e8→e4, captures queen).
3. Best move: hxg6 — pawn h5→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies fxg6 (pawn f7→g6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
5. Best move: f7 — pawn f6→f7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, exposed king, very long. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/5p2/5Pp1/3R3P/p1p5/PpP2QK1/2q5/8 b - - 2 39

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