Chess Puzzle #skL9c — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a6; rooks c2/e1; pawns b5/d5/e4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen b6; rooks e5/e8; bishop c5; pawns d6/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e5→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e1→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe4 (rook e8→e4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qc8+ — queen a6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
4. Best move: Qf5+ — queen c8→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
5. Best move: Qxe4 — queen f5→e4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/6p1/Qq1p1p1p/1PbPr3/4P3/7P/2R3P1/4R2K b - - 4 43

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