Chess Puzzle #cxz8S — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a3; queen d5; rooks e1/h1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen b6; rooks e8/h8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f4/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf2 — queen b6→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook h8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rd1 — rook h1→d1. Opponent replies a6 (pawn a7→a6).
4. Best move: Qd7+ — queen d5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
5. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen d7→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, endgame, fork, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r2r/ppp5/1q5p/3Q4/5p2/K1P5/PP3PPP/4R2R b - - 4 27

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