Chess Puzzle #9aq1I — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e5; rook g1; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen c2; rook f7; pawns a7/d3/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g7→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen e5→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Re1+ — rook g1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe2 (queen c2→e2).
4. Best move: Rxe2+ — rook e1→e2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies dxe2 (pawn d3→e2, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qe5+ — queen h8→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, very long. The key move Rxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4rkp/6p1/4Q3/8/3p4/P1q3PP/6RK b - - 9 32

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