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

Position

White: king h2; queen c6; rook c1; knight f5; pawns a3/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen g5; rook e8; knight f4; pawns a7/b5/f6/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re6 — rook e8→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen c6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e6→e8).
3. Best move: Rc8 — rook c1→c8. Opponent replies Qxg2+ (queen g5→g2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxg2 — queen a8→g2, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxg2 (knight f4→g2, captures queen).
5. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook c8→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rk2/p4p2/2Q2p2/1p3Nq1/5n2/P6P/6PK/2R5 b - - 4 40

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