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

Position

White: king e1; queen e5; rooks a1/h4; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/e3/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be6 — bishop c8→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd1 — rook a1→d1. Opponent replies Qe7 (queen d8→e7).
3. Best move: Rd7 — rook d1→d7. Opponent replies Qb4+ (queen e7→b4, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxb4 — rook h4→b4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Rd1.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/ppp2p2/5np1/4Q3/7R/4P3/PPP1BPP1/R3K3 b Q - 0 17

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