Chess Puzzle #M2K0D — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c6; rooks c3/f1; bishop b3; pawns b2/b5/d5/e4/f2/h3. Black: king f8; queen h4; rooks a8/g2; bishop b6; knight f4; pawns a6/c7/e5/f7/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook g2→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen c6→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: d6+ — pawn d5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e7→f6).
4. Best move: Qd8+ — queen a8→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f6→g6).
5. Best move: Rg1+ — rook f1→g1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/2p2pp1/pbQ5/1P1Pp2p/4Pn1q/1BR4P/1P3Pr1/5R1K b - - 5 22

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