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

Position

White: king h4; queen h5; rooks a1/e1; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/f5/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen d5; rooks e7/g8; bishop c7; pawns a7/b7/c4/d4/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd8 — queen d5→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe7 — rook e1→e7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxe7 (queen d8→e7, captures rook).
3. Best move: f6 — pawn f5→f6. Opponent replies Bg3+ (bishop c7→g3, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxg3 — king h4→g3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qe3+ (queen e7→e3, gives check).
5. Best move: Nf3 — knight g5→f3.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxe7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/ppb1r2p/8/3q1PNQ/2pp2PK/7P/PP6/R3R3 b - - 16 37

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