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

Position

White: king f2; queen d4; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; pawns a2/c2/c3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks a8/e8; bishop f5; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re5 — rook e8→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Opponent replies Qh4+ (queen g5→h4, gives check).
3. Best move: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Opponent replies Qf6 (queen h4→f6).
4. Best move: fxe5 — pawn f4→e5, captures rook. Opponent replies dxe5 (pawn d6→e5, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Qe3 — queen d4→e3. Opponent replies Be4+ (bishop f5→e4, gives check).
6. Best move: Kg1 — king f2→g1. Opponent replies Bxh1 (bishop e4→h1, captures rook).
7. Best move: Kxh1 — king g1→h1, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, fork, middlegame, very long. The key move is f4.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/ppp2pp1/3p3p/5bq1/3Q4/2P2P2/P1P2KPP/R4B1R b - - 5 17

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