Chess Puzzle #EVZAU — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; bishop c5; pawns d4/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook a8; pawns c6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra2 — rook a8→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen b2→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen b8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g7→f6).
4. Best move: Qe7+ — queen f8→e7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qb8+.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5p1p/2p3p1/2Bq4/3P4/4P1P1/1Q3P1P/6K1 b - - 4 40

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