Chess Puzzle #p2lO4 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f6; rooks a1/f2; bishop c2; pawns a3/e5/h3. Black: king h5; queen d4; rooks c8/d8; bishop d7; pawns a6/c4/e6/g4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc6+ — bishop d7→c6, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2. Opponent replies g3+ (pawn g4→g3, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxg3 — king h2→g3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rg8+ (rook d8→g8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king g3→h2. Opponent replies Rcf8 (rook c8→f8).
5. Best move: Bd1+ — bishop c2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd1 (queen d4→d1, captures bishop).
6. Best move: Rxd1 — rook a1→d1, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxf6 (rook f8→f6, captures queen).
7. Best move: exf6 — pawn e5→f6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, very long. The key move is Kh2.

Position data

FEN: 2rr4/3b4/p3pQ2/4P2k/2pq2p1/P6P/2B2R2/R6K b - - 0 44

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