Chess Puzzle #C4zfE — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f7; rook h7; pawns a3/b2/c3/e7/g2. Black: king b8; queen c5; rook d5; pawns a5/b7/c4/c7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe3+ — queen c5→e3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kb1 — king c1→b1. Opponent replies Qe4+ (queen e3→e4, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka2 — king b1→a2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Kb1.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1pp1PQ1R/6p1/p1qr4/2p5/P1P5/1P4P1/2K5 b - - 0 30

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