Chess Puzzle #dGvj9 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c4; queen e5; rook d1; bishop e3; pawns a2/b3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f3; rooks d8/e2; pawns a7/b6/e6/f5/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e2→e3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Qc7+ — queen e5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f7→f6).
4. Best move: Rf8+ — rook d8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f6→g6).
5. Best move: Rg8+ — rook f8→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king g6→h5).
6. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen c7→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg4 (king h5→g4).
7. Best move: Qh4# — queen h7→h4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, epaulette mate, hanging piece, mate, mate in 5, pin, very long. The combination ends with Qh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p6p/1p2p3/4Qpp1/2K5/1P2BqP1/P3r2P/3R4 b - - 7 33

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