Chess Puzzle #9GVa0 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks b1/e3; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b7; rook b8; bishop e6; knight b2; pawns a6/c7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen b7→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen c3→b4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxb4 (rook b8→b4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rb3 — rook e3→b3. Opponent replies Rxb3 (rook b4→b3, captures rook).
4. Best move: axb3 — pawn a2→b3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, long, middlegame. The key move Qxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/1qp2ppp/p3b3/3p4/8/2Q1R3/PnP2PPP/1R4K1 b - - 3 21

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