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

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rook e3; bishop h6; knight g3; pawns a3/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen d4; rooks c2/g8; bishop e7; knight g6; pawns a5/d5/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf8 — knight g6→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf3+ — rook e3→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen h7→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop e7→d8).
5. Best move: Qc6+ — queen c8→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
6. Best move: Qd6+ — queen c6→d6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move is Rf3+.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/4bkpQ/4p1nB/p2pP3/3q4/P3R1NP/2r2PP1/6K1 b - - 3 28

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