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

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks b1/d1; bishops c3/f3; pawns a2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks d8/h8; bishop f8; knight f6; pawns a7/b6/c5/e5/f4/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd1 — rook b1→d1, captures rook. Opponent replies Bd6 (bishop f8→d6).
3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d1→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen c7→d6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop c3→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe7 (queen d6→e7).
5. Best move: Bxf6 — bishop e5→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxe2 (queen e7→e2, captures queen).
6. Best move: Bxe2 — bishop f3→e2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Rxd1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3rkb1r/p1q5/1p3n2/2p1pPpp/5p2/2B2B2/P3Q1PP/1R1R3K b k - 1 31

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