Chess Puzzle #HIC4D — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h4; queen d2; rook d7; pawns a2/e3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen g1; rook c1; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook c1→f1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qd4+ — queen d2→d4, gives check. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
4. Best move: Rd7+ — rook d8→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
5. Best move: Qxf6 — queen d4→f6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, very long. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp1R1p1p/6p1/8/6PK/4P2P/P2Q1P2/2r3q1 b - - 0 32

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