Chess Puzzle #01vel — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rook a1; bishop e3; pawns a7/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a8; rook b6; bishops f6/g6; pawns d3/d5/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb7 — rook b6→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb7 — queen d7→b7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxb7 (queen a8→b7, captures queen).
3. Best move: a8=Q+ — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen, gives check. Opponent replies Qxa8 (queen b7→a8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxa8+ — rook a1→a8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, long, middlegame, promotion. The key move Rxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: q5k1/P2Q1pp1/1r3bb1/3p4/8/3pB2P/5PP1/R5K1 b - - 1 31

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