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

Position

White: king e3; rook c5; pawns a3/c7/d4/f3/g2/g4. Black: king d6; queen d1; pawns a7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb3+ — queen d1→b3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kd2 — king e3→d2. Opponent replies Qb2+ (queen b3→b2, gives check).
3. Best move: Rc2 — rook c5→c2. Opponent replies Qxd4+ (queen b2→d4, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke2 — king d2→e2. Opponent replies Qg1 (queen d4→g1).
5. Best move: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, promotion, queen rook endgame, very long. The key move is Kd2.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1P2pp1/3k3p/2R5/3P2P1/P3KP2/6P1/3q4 b - - 2 42

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