Chess Puzzle #9QdB2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook c7; knight f5; pawns a4/b3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king f8; rooks a8/h8; bishop c3; pawns b4/c5/f6/h6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra5 — rook a8→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
3. Best move: Rxh8 — rook c8→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies c4 (pawn c5→c4).
4. Best move: Nd6+ — knight f5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f7→g7).
5. Best move: Nxc4 — knight d6→c4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, exposed king, skewer, very long. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: r4k1r/2R4p/5p1p/2p2N2/Pp5P/1Pb5/5PP1/7K b - - 1 27

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