Chess Puzzle #4nt34 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen b3; rook f1; knight b1; pawns a2/e4/h2. Black: king b6; queen a1; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d7/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka6 — king b6→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen b3→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a6→b6).
3. Best move: Kc2 — king d1→c2. Opponent replies c6 (pawn c7→c6).
4. Best move: Nd2 — knight b1→d2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Qa4+.

Position data

FEN: r1b5/pppp3p/1k3p2/8/4P3/1Q6/P6P/qN1K1R2 b - - 3 20

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