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

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rooks b1/f6; pawns a2/c3/d4/e5/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks d8/f8; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exf6 — pawn e5→f6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Kf2 — king g1→f2. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook f8→g8).
4. Best move: hxg6+ — pawn h5→g6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg6 (rook g8→g6, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rh1+ — rook b1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
6. Best move: Qh4 — queen g5→h4.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move hxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/pp1q1pp1/4pRn1/4P1QP/3P4/2P5/P5P1/1R4K1 b - - 0 23

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