Chess Puzzle #NIHbr — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks a1/e3; bishop c1; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks a8/e8; bishop d6; knights b8/f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf3 — rook e3→f3. Opponent replies Re6 (rook e8→e6).
3. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f3→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxf6 (rook e6→f6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qh7+ — queen g6→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
5. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
6. Best move: Qxg7+ — queen h8→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e7→d8).
7. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen g7→f6, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, interference, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn2r1k1/pp1q2p1/2pbpnQ1/6N1/3P4/4R2P/PPP2P2/R1B3K1 b - - 4 18

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