Chess Puzzle #DOic4 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c5; rooks c6/d7; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b1; rooks e1/f8; pawns a6/f7/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa6 — rook c6→a6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Opponent replies Qxf8+ (queen c5→f8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf8 — king g8→f8, captures queen. Opponent replies Ra8+ (rook a6→a8, gives check).
4. Best move: Re8 — rook e1→e8. Opponent replies Rdd8 (rook d7→d8).
5. Best move: Rxd8 — rook e8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is h4.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/3R1pp1/p1R5/2Q4p/8/1P5P/P4PPK/1q2r3 w - - 4 33

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