Chess Puzzle #0eQJ8 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook f1; pawns a2/a6/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen f6; rooks c1/c8; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd8 — king d7→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Rxf1+ (rook c1→f1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf1 — king g1→f1, captures rook. Opponent replies Ra8 (rook c8→a8).
4. Best move: Qb5 — queen a4→b5.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, long. The key move is a7.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/3k1pp1/P3pq1p/3p4/Q2P4/4P3/P4PPP/2r2RK1 b - - 0 19

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