Chess Puzzle #aYS86 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c4; rook g1; pawns a4/b3/c2/e4/e6/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook d7; pawns a5/b4/d4/e5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook d7→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf1 — rook g1→f1. Opponent replies Qe7 (queen f6→e7).
3. Best move: Rf7 — rook f1→f7. Opponent replies Qh4 (queen e7→h4).
4. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Opponent replies Qxe4+ (queen h4→e4, captures pawn, gives check).
5. Best move: Kg1 — king h1→g1.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, very long. The key move is Rf1.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3r2p1/4Pq1p/p3p3/PpQpP3/1P6/2P4P/6RK b - - 0 35

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