Chess Puzzle #5sAya — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f7; rook f2; pawns a3/b2/g3/h2. Black: king d5; queen c4; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a6/c6/e4/f5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc5 — king d5→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b4+ — pawn b2→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c5→b5).
3. Best move: a4+ — pawn a3→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb4 (king b5→b4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rb2+ — rook f2→b2, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is b4+.

Position data

FEN: r1b5/5Q2/p1p5/3k1p2/2q1p3/P5P1/1P3RKP/8 b - - 11 34

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