Chess Puzzle #11Aa2 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c8; rook d2; bishop e3; pawns c4/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen e1; bishop f3; knight c3; pawns e5/f6/g6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe3 — queen e1→e3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8 — rook d2→d8. Opponent replies Kh6 (king h7→h6).
3. Best move: h4 — pawn h3→h4. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g6→g5).
4. Best move: Qf5 — queen c8→f5. Opponent replies Qf4+ (queen e3→f4, gives check).
5. Best move: Qxf4 — queen f5→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move is Rd8.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/6pk/5pp1/4p3/2P5/2n1Bb1P/3R2PK/4q3 b - - 3 39

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