Chess Puzzle #6WrG1 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rook b1; bishop a4; pawns c4/c6/g2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook a8; bishop e7; pawns b6/d6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa4 — queen a5→a4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa4 — queen a1→a4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxa4 (rook a8→a4, captures queen).
3. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies dxc5 (pawn d6→c5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Opponent replies Ra8 (rook a4→a8).
5. Best move: Rxb6 — rook b1→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ra1+ (rook a8→a1, gives check).
6. Best move: Kf2 — king g1→f2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, very long. The key move Qxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/4bppp/1pPpp3/q7/B1P5/6P1/6PP/QR4K1 b - - 0 22

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