Chess Puzzle #3q465 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rook d7; bishop e3; pawns a4/b5/c4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king a6; queen b1; pawns a7/b6/c6/g4/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb5 — pawn c6→b5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb5+ — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king a6→a5).
3. Best move: Rd4 — rook d7→d4. Opponent replies Qxb5+ (queen b1→b5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move cxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p2R4/kpp4p/1P6/P1P3p1/4B1P1/4KP1P/1q6 b - - 0 38

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