Chess Puzzle #3Qmb4 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook a3; pawns a6/b2/g3/g5/h4. Black: king a7; rook b3; pawns b6/c7/d5/e5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa3 — rook b3→a3, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxa3 — pawn b2→a3, captures rook. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d5→d4).
3. Best move: g4 — pawn g3→g4. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h5→g4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies d3 (pawn d4→d3).
5. Best move: hxg6 — pawn h5→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies d2 (pawn d3→d2).
6. Best move: Ke2 — king f2→e2.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, very long. The key move bxa3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/k1p5/Pp4p1/3pp1Pp/7P/Rr4P1/1P3K2/8 b - - 1 37

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