Chess Puzzle #73ToO — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a5; rooks e1/g1; pawns a4/b5/g2/h3/h5. Black: king h7; queen g3; rooks d2/d8; pawns e3/f7/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen a5→b6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxg2 — rook d2→g2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxg2 (rook g1→g2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen g3→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rg1 (rook g2→g1).
4. Best move: Qxg1+ — queen e1→g1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg1 (king h1→g1, captures queen).
5. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
6. Best move: e2 — pawn e3→e2. Opponent replies Qc5 (queen b6→c5).
7. Best move: e1=Q — pawn e2→e1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, promotion, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/5ppk/8/QP5P/P7/4p1qP/3r2P1/4R1RK w - - 1 39

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