Chess Puzzle #06VPM — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook a1; pawns e5/f2/f3/h5. Black: king g8; queen b7; rook c7; pawns b6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b6→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen h4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Ra8 — rook a1→a8. Opponent replies Qxa8 (queen b7→a8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxa8 — queen d8→a8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Qd8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1qr2pp1/1p2p2p/4P2P/7Q/5P2/5P2/R5K1 b - - 3 39

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