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

Position

White: king a1; queen g5; rooks a8/h1; pawns a2/b2/g2. Black: king d6; queen c4; rook d2; bishop e4; pawns a7/b7/c6/e3/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen c4→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook a8→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d6→c7).
3. Best move: Qa5+ — queen g5→a5, gives check. Opponent replies b6 (pawn b7→b6).
4. Best move: Qxa7+ — queen a5→a7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd8 (king c7→d8, captures rook).
5. Best move: Rh8# — rook h1→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: R7/pp3pp1/2pk4/6Q1/2q1b3/4p3/PP1r2P1/K6R b - - 0 29

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