Chess Puzzle #R4BP3 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h6; rook e1; bishop f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen g3; rook f8; bishops d6/e4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bh7 — bishop e4→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re5 — rook e1→e5. Opponent replies Rxf3 (rook f8→f3, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f3→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook e8→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf8 (bishop d6→f8, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen h6→f8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, exposed king, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/pp6/2pb3Q/3p4/3Pb3/2P2BqP/PP4P1/4R2K b - - 0 29

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