Chess Puzzle #56841 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d5; rooks d1/h1; knight e2; pawns a3/b2/c2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen a5; rooks a8/h8; bishop f6; pawns a7/b4/c5/e7/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa3 — pawn b4→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen d5→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
3. Best move: Qb7 — queen a8→b7. Opponent replies axb2 (pawn a3→b2, captures pawn).
4. Best move: c3 — pawn c2→c3.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4k1r/p3pp2/5bpp/q1pQ4/1p3P2/P7/1PP1N1PP/1K1R3R b - - 2 21

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