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

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks d3/d7; pawns a4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e8; rooks b8/c8; pawns a5/b4/e5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh4 — queen g4→h4. Opponent replies Rc1+ (rook c8→c1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf2 — king g1→f2. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h7→h5).
4. Best move: Qxf6 — queen h4→f6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen e8→f8).
5. Best move: Rd8 — rook d7→d8. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures rook).
6. Best move: Rxd8 — rook d3→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen f8→d8, captures rook).
7. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen f6→d8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, pin, very long. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rr1q1k1/3R2pp/5p2/p3p3/Pp4Q1/3R4/6PP/6K1 b - - 8 41

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