Chess Puzzle #Xs2GZ — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks e4/f1; pawns a2/b2/f6/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h7; rook b8; bishop b7; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/d4/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh5 — queen h7→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd2 — queen f2→d2. Opponent replies Qc5 (queen h5→c5).
3. Best move: Rh4 — rook e4→h4. Opponent replies d3+ (pawn d4→d3, gives check).
4. Best move: Rf2 — rook f1→f2. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen c5→f8).
5. Best move: Rf5 — rook f2→f5. Opponent replies Ne7 (knight c6→e7).
6. Best move: fxe7 — pawn f6→e7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, defensive move, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move is Qd2.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/pb3p1q/1pn2Pp1/8/3pR3/6P1/PP3Q1P/5RK1 b - - 1 34

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