Chess Puzzle #CHAXf — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks a1/h4; bishop c4; pawns a2/d5/e4/h2. Black: king h7; rooks b2/f8; knight c5; pawns a5/b4/d6/e5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king h7→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg1+ — rook a1→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Rf1+ — rook g1→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f7→e8).
4. Best move: Bb5+ — bishop c4→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Nd7 (knight c5→d7).
5. Best move: Bxd7+ — bishop b5→d7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e8→d7, captures bishop).
6. Best move: Rxf8 — rook f1→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, very long. The key move Bxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/7k/3p4/p1nPp3/1pB1P2R/8/Pr5P/R6K b - - 0 34

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