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

Position

White: king h1; queen h3; rook a1; bishops c3/d3; knight d1; pawns a3/b4/e5/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c8/d2; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/g5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1+ — rook d2→d1, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd1 — rook a1→d1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc3 (rook c8→c3, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rf1 — rook d1→f1. Opponent replies Rxd3 (rook c3→d3, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qh6 — queen h3→h6. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen b6→d8).
5. Best move: Rf7 — rook f1→f7. Opponent replies Rd1+ (rook d3→d1, gives check).
6. Best move: Kg2 — king h1→g2. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g8→f7, captures rook).
7. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h6→h7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp1b3p/1q2p1p1/3pP1p1/1P4P1/P1BB3Q/3r3P/R2N3K b - - 4 24

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