Chess Puzzle #XvaA2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e3; rooks f4/g1; pawns b2/b3/c2/d3/e5/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks a8/f8; pawns a5/b5/c6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g1→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king g8→g7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rg4+ — rook f4→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
4. Best move: Qg5 — queen e3→g5. Opponent replies Qh1+ (queen d5→h1, gives check).
5. Best move: Kd2 — king c1→d2.

Tactical themes

attraction, clearance, crushing, endgame, kingside attack, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/5ppp/2p5/pp1qP3/5R2/1P1PQ3/1PP4P/2K3R1 b - - 1 20

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