Chess Puzzle #2MAs7 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen c4; rook c7; bishop b6; pawns a3/h6. Black: king g8; queen g2; rook b8; bishop h8; pawns a5/e3/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb6+ — rook b8→b6, captures bishop, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ka4 — king b3→a4. Opponent replies Qc6+ (queen g2→c6, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c7→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc6 (rook b6→c6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc6 — queen c4→c6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Ka4.

Position data

FEN: 1r4kb/2R2p1p/1B4pP/p7/2Q5/PK2p3/6q1/8 b - - 3 43

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