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

Position

White: king h1; queen c6; rook f1; pawns a3/b2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d4; rook b8; pawns a6/d5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook b8→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen c6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f1→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
4. Best move: Qf8+ — queen e8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king h6→h5).
5. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook f7→h7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, very long. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5p1p/p1Q3p1/3p4/3q4/P6P/1P4P1/5R1K b - - 0 29

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