Chess Puzzle #LiBr8 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a2; rooks f1/f3; pawns a3/b4/c5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks e3/e8; pawns a6/b7/g5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f3→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
4. Best move: Qg8+ — queen a2→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
5. Best move: Qf7+ — queen g8→f7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1p4p1/p6p/2P3p1/1P1q4/P3rR1P/Q5P1/5R1K b - - 9 40

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