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

Position

White: king g4; queen b7; pawns a6/d4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e3; pawns d5/e4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen e3→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Qd1+ (queen d4→d1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf4 — king g4→f4. Opponent replies Qc1+ (queen d1→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke5 — king f4→e5.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move is a7.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1Q3pp1/P6p/3p4/3Pp1K1/4q1P1/7P/8 b - - 0 35

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