Chess Puzzle #HbU4S — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen a4; rook d7; pawns a6/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen c5; rook c1; pawns c6/d5/e4/f7/g6/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc4 — rook c1→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a4→a1, gives check. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d5→d4).
3. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Qa1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/3R1pk1/P1p3p1/2qp4/Q3p2p/4P2P/5PPK/2r5 b - - 5 37

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