Chess Puzzle #C95Ce — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks b7/f1; bishops a4/d4; pawns c6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen c4; rook h8; knight f6; pawns a3/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa4 — queen c4→a4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d8→c7).
3. Best move: Be5+ — bishop d4→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc6 (king c7→c6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rc1+ — rook f1→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qc4 (queen a4→c4).
5. Best move: Rxc4+ — rook c1→c4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies dxc4 (pawn d5→c4, captures rook).
6. Best move: Rxh8 — rook b8→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, very long. The key move Rxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3k3r/1R3ppp/2P1pn2/3p4/B1qB4/p7/5PPP/5RK1 b - - 0 22

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