Chess Puzzle #OpW9d — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e3; rooks d5/h1; pawns a4/b6/c2/c4/e4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king b8; queen e6; rooks d8/h8; bishop d7; pawns a5/c7/d6/e5/f7/g4/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa4 — bishop d7→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc7+ — pawn b6→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc7 (king b8→c7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qa7+ — queen e3→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king c7→c8).
4. Best move: Kd2 — king c1→d2. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen e6→d7).
5. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a7→a8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, attraction, middlegame, queenside attack, very long. The key move bxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/2pb1p2/1P1pq3/p2Rp2p/P1P1P1pP/4Q3/2P2PP1/2K4R b - - 0 24

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