Chess Puzzle #5kIzy — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rook a1; knight g5; pawns a5/c4/d3/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king b7; queen f6; rooks d8/h8; pawns a7/b6/d6/d7/e5/f7/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg5 — queen f6→g5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: axb6 — pawn a5→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rb1 — rook a1→b1. Opponent replies Qc1+ (queen g5→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxc1 — rook b1→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move axb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/pk1p1pp1/1p1p1q2/P3p1Np/1QP5/3P2P1/4PP1P/R5K1 b - - 0 20

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