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

Position

White: king g1; queen f6; rooks c4/f1; knight f5; pawns a2/b3/d2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d7; rooks d8/g7; bishops b7/d6; pawns a7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ba6 — bishop b7→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxg7 — knight f5→g7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook d8→f8).
3. Best move: Qd4 — queen f6→d4. Opponent replies Rxf1+ (rook f8→f1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxf1 — king g1→f1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxg7 (queen d7→g7, captures knight).
5. Best move: Qxd6 — queen d4→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bxc4+ (bishop a6→c4, captures rook, gives check).
6. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Nxg7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/pb1q2rp/3b1Q2/5N2/2R5/1P6/P2P2PP/5RK1 b - - 2 24

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