Chess Puzzle #DDawW — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks f1/f5; pawns a3/b2/c3/g3. Black: king c8; queen e6; rooks g8/h2; knight e5; pawns a4/b5/c4/d5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook h2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook f5→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qc6 (queen e6→c6).
3. Best move: Re6 — rook e5→e6. Opponent replies Rxg3+ (rook g8→g3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxg3 — queen e3→g3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxe6 (queen c6→e6, captures rook).
5. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f1→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
6. Best move: Qg7+ — queen g3→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d7→c6).
7. Best move: Rf6 — rook f8→f6. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen e6→f6, captures rook).
8. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen g7→f6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/8/4q3/1p1pnR2/p1p5/P1P1Q1P1/1P5r/5RK1 b - - 1 34

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