Chess Puzzle #CZ3ED — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rook a1; knight b2; pawns a2/b3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d2; rooks f8/g6; pawns a6/c5/d4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook f8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf1 — rook a1→f1. Opponent replies Rg7 (rook g6→g7).
3. Best move: Qa8+ — queen d5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Qe4+ — queen a8→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
5. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e4→e8, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, pin, very long. The key move is Rf1.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/8/p5r1/2pQ4/3p4/1P4P1/PN1q3P/R6K b - - 1 35

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