Chess Puzzle #Qac0X — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f3; rook c1; pawns c5/d4/e3/f2/g5. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook b2; pawns c6/d5/e6/f7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh1 — rook c1→h1. Opponent replies Rb1 (rook b2→b1).
3. Best move: Rh4 — rook h1→h4. Opponent replies Qa1 (queen a2→a1).
4. Best move: Qf6 — queen f3→f6. Opponent replies Rg1+ (rook b1→g1, gives check).
5. Best move: Kf3 — king g2→f3. Opponent replies Qd1+ (queen a1→d1, gives check).
6. Best move: Kf4 — king f3→f4. Opponent replies Rg4+ (rook g1→g4, gives check).
7. Best move: Rxg4 — rook h4→g4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is Rh1.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/2p1p3/2Pp2P1/3P4/4PQ2/qr3PK1/2R5 b - - 0 31

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