Chess Puzzle #V7mU1 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen f7; rook c1; bishop g2; pawns a2/b2/c5/d3/e2. Black: king f4; queen h2; rooks c8/g8; pawns a7/c6/d5/e5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg4 — king f4→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh1 — rook c1→h1. Opponent replies Rgf8 (rook g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qf3+ — queen f7→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf3+ (rook f8→f3, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: exf3+ — pawn e2→f3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf4 (king g4→f4).
5. Best move: Rxh2 — rook h1→h2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, collinear move, endgame, sacrifice, very long. The key move exf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3r1/p4Q2/2p5/2Ppp3/5k2/3P4/PP2PKBq/2R5 b - - 6 26

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