Chess Puzzle #8dmSE — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen d2; rook c1; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/h6. Black: king h8; queen c8; rook f1; pawns a6/d4/d5/e5/g5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc1 — queen c8→c1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb4 — queen d2→b4. Opponent replies Qe3+ (queen c1→e3, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka4 — king b3→a4. Opponent replies Qf4 (queen e3→f4).
4. Best move: Bxf1 — bishop e2→f1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Qb4.

Position data

FEN: 2q4k/7p/p6P/3pp1p1/3p4/1K6/PP1QB3/2R2r2 b - - 7 37

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