Chess Puzzle #N9Edl — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rooks f2/f4; pawns b2/d4/e5/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks c1/f8; bishop b5; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh5+ — queen h6→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh4 — rook f4→h4. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen h5→d1).
3. Best move: Qg5 — queen g3→g5. Opponent replies Qg1+ (queen d1→g1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg3 — king h2→g3. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook c1→d1).
5. Best move: Qh6 — queen g5→h6. Opponent replies Rd3+ (rook d1→d3, gives check).
6. Best move: Rf3 — rook f2→f3. Opponent replies Rxf3+ (rook d3→f3, captures rook, gives check).
7. Best move: Kxf3 — king g3→f3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, very long. The key move is Rh4.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p3p2/p3p1pq/1b1pP2P/3P1R2/6Q1/1P3RPK/2r5 b - - 4 33

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