Chess Puzzle #Rad30 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h5; rook a1; bishops d5/e3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/f6/g5. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks a8/e1; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/c5/d6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa1 — rook e1→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g6 — pawn g5→g6. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h7→g6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qxg6 — queen h5→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rh1+ (rook a1→h1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxh1 — king h2→h1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qh3+ (queen d7→h3, gives check).
5. Best move: Kg1 — king h1→g1. Opponent replies Qh7 (queen h3→h7).
6. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen g6→f7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p1q1ppp/p1np1P2/2pB2PQ/8/4B3/PPP2P1K/R3r3 b - - 1 18

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