Chess Puzzle #87pqk — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f1; rooks d1/d4; pawns b3/d5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king b7; queen f6; rooks d8/e8; pawns a6/b6/c7/f5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c7→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: dxc6+ — pawn d5→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b7→c7).
3. Best move: Rd7+ — rook d4→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd7 (rook d8→d7, captures rook).
4. Best move: cxd7 — pawn c6→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook e8→d8).
5. Best move: Qxa6 — queen f1→a6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, collinear, crushing, en passant, endgame, very long. The key move dxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr3/1kp2p2/pp3q1p/3P1p2/3R1P2/1P6/6PP/1K1R1Q2 b - - 3 32

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