Chess Puzzle #rT8BO — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks b1/h4; bishop g2; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/f2/h2. Black: king b8; queen d8; rook h8; bishops d5/d6; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop d5→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h4→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxh8 (queen d8→h8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxf3 — bishop g2→f3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxh2+ (queen h8→h2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf1 — king g1→f1. Opponent replies Qh3+ (queen h2→h3, gives check).
5. Best move: Ke2 — king f1→e2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, intermezzo, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Rxh8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k1q3r/pp1n1p2/2pb4/3b4/Q6R/5N2/PP3PBP/1R4K1 b - - 0 20

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