Chess Puzzle #E8WV5 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen a3; rook h1; bishop b3; knight d6; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2. Black: king f8; queen e7; rooks b8/h7; bishop c8; knight d7; pawns a7/c6/e4/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook h1→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Nf6 (knight d7→f6).
3. Best move: Nxc8 — knight d6→c8, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qa6 — queen a3→a6. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook c8→d8).
5. Best move: Rxf6+ — rook f1→f6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook h7→f7).
6. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f6→f7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, exposed king, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rb2k2/p2nq2r/2pN3p/8/4p3/QB6/PPP3P1/1K5R b - - 0 27

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