Chess Puzzle #IE8GN — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; bishops b3/h6; pawns a2/b2/e5. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks a8/g8; bishops c8/g3; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe5 — bishop g3→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rg3+ (rook g8→g3, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh4 — king h3→h4. Opponent replies Qd8+ (queen c7→d8, gives check).
4. Best move: Bg5 — bishop h6→g5. Opponent replies Qxg5+ (queen d8→g5, captures bishop, gives check).
5. Best move: Qxg5 — queen h5→g5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxg5 (rook g3→g5, captures queen).
6. Best move: Kxg5 — king h4→g5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b3rk/ppq2p1p/4p2B/3pP2Q/8/1B4bK/PP6/R4R2 b - - 1 20

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