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

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks d1/f2; bishop e3; knight c3; pawns a4/b2/e5/f5/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen b7; rooks d8/h5; bishops d7/e7; pawns a6/b5/c5/f7/g6/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf5 — rook h5→f5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf5 — rook f2→f5, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxf5 (bishop d7→f5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d2→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop e7→d8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
5. Best move: Bg5 — bishop e3→g5. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g7→h7).
6. Best move: Nd5 — knight c3→d5.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, master, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/1q1bbp2/p5p1/1pp1PP1r/P6p/2N1B2P/1P1Q1RP1/3R2K1 b - - 0 27

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