Chess Puzzle #S9t7d — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen b1; rooks g1/g2; knights c3/f4; pawns a2/b2/e3/f3/h5. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks c8/f8; bishop e5; knight b4; pawns a6/b7/d5/f7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g2→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxg7 (bishop e5→g7, captures rook).
3. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies dxe3+ (pawn d4→e3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf1 — king f2→f1. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
5. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g1→g7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg7 (queen d7→g7, captures rook).
6. Best move: hxg7 — pawn h6→g7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, fork, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1p1q1pp1/p7/3pb2P/1n3N2/2N1PP2/PP3KR1/1Q4R1 b - - 1 27

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