Chess Puzzle #3kIBi — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen g3; rook a7; pawns b2/c2/d3/e4/f2. Black: king h7; queen e1; rook b1; pawns b6/c7/e5/g6/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c7→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5 — queen g3→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qb4+ (queen e1→b4, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka2 — king b3→a2. Opponent replies Qxb2+ (queen b4→b2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxb2 — queen e5→b2, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxb2+ (rook b1→b2, captures queen, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxb2 — king a2→b2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Qxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/R1p3pk/1p4p1/4p2p/4P3/1K1P2Q1/1PP2P2/1r2q3 b - - 12 43

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