Chess Puzzle #8JSHd — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen h8; rook h1; pawns b4/b5/d5/e4/f2/g5. Black: king f7; rooks c2/g7; knight f4; pawns b7/c7/d6/e5/f5/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf5 — pawn e4→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc3+ — rook c2→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg4 (king f3→g4).
3. Best move: gxf5+ — pawn g6→f5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf5 (king g4→f5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Ng6 — knight f4→g6. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen h8→d8).
5. Best move: Rc4 — rook c3→c4. Opponent replies Qf6+ (queen d8→f6, gives check).
6. Best move: Kg8 — king f7→g8.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, exposed king, intermezzo, very long. The key move gxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7Q/1pp2kr1/3p2p1/1P1PppP1/1P2Pn2/5K2/2r2P2/7R w - - 0 42

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