Chess Puzzle #3HrMD — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; queen b4; rook e1; pawns c4/d3/e6. Black: king g7; queen a5; rook f4; pawns a7/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd8 — queen a5→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Opponent replies Qd4+ (queen d8→d4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb3 — king c3→b3. Opponent replies Rf3 (rook f4→f3).
4. Best move: e8=Q — pawn e7→e8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, promotion. The key move is e7.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4pk1/4P1pp/q7/1QP2r2/2KP4/8/4R3 b - - 2 43

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