Chess Puzzle #EfaH9 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/e1; knight f5; pawns a3/b2/d3/e6/g4/h2. Black: king f8; queen e7; rooks a8/g7; bishops f3/f6; pawns a7/c4/d4/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg4+ — rook g7→g4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kf2 — king g1→f2. Opponent replies Rg2+ (rook g4→g2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf3 — king f2→f3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rg5 (rook g2→g5).
4. Best move: Qh6+ — queen h5→h6, gives check.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move is Kf2.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/p3q1rp/4Pb2/5N1Q/2pp2P1/P2P1b2/1P5P/R3R1K1 b - - 1 36

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