Chess Puzzle #76ATj — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e5; rook c8; pawns a3/g2/h3. Black: king a7; queen b6; rook e7; pawns a6/d5/e4/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb7 — queen b6→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd4+ — queen e5→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Qb6 (queen b7→b6).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook c8→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king a7→b7).
4. Best move: Rb8+ — rook a8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb8 (king b7→b8, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qxb6+ — queen d4→b6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, very long. The key move Qxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/k3r3/pq2p3/3pQ3/4p3/P6P/6P1/7K b - - 16 45

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