Chess Puzzle #VN1UM — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h2; rooks a1/f1; bishop f4; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g6/h5. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks e8/f8; bishops g7/h3; pawns a7/b7/d5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook f8→f4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf4 — rook f1→f4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf4 (queen h4→f4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh3 — queen h2→h3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Re3 (rook e8→e3).
4. Best move: Kg2 — king g1→g2. Opponent replies Qf3+ (queen f4→f3, gives check).
5. Best move: Kh2 — king g2→h2. Opponent replies Qf2+ (queen f3→f2, gives check).
6. Best move: Qg2 — queen h3→g2.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/pp4b1/6Pp/3p3P/3P1B1q/2P3Nb/PP5Q/R4RK1 b - - 8 28

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