Chess Puzzle #FCG8O — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rooks f1/f7; pawns a3/b2/d5/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen h4; rooks f8/g8; knight g6; pawns a5/b6/d6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f1→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king h7→h6).
3. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c7→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qg5 (queen h4→g5).
4. Best move: Rh7+ — rook f7→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h6→h7, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qxg5 — queen c1→g5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, exposed king, pin, very long. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rr1/2Q2R1k/1p1p2n1/p2P3p/7q/P6P/1P4P1/5R1K b - - 0 40

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