Chess Puzzle #HBYhM — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen f3; rook g1; bishop h6; pawns a2/b2/d4/e4/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c2; rook a8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen c2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Opponent replies Qb5+ (queen b2→b5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg2 — king f1→g2. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop d6→f8).
4. Best move: Qxa8 — queen f3→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qd5+ (queen b5→d5, gives check).
5. Best move: Qxd5 — queen a8→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, pin, very long. The key move is e5.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p4p1p/1p1bp1pB/8/3PP3/5Q1P/PPq2P2/5KR1 b - - 3 23

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