Chess Puzzle #I5apH — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook a1; knight d5; pawns a6/c4/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen h5; pawns c5/d6/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh3 — queen h5→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Qh2+ (queen h3→h2, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke3 — king f2→e3. Opponent replies Qg3+ (queen h2→g3, gives check).
4. Best move: Kd2 — king e3→d2. Opponent replies Qf2+ (queen g3→f2, gives check).
5. Best move: Kc1 — king d2→c1. Opponent replies Qf1+ (queen f2→f1, gives check).
6. Best move: Kb2 — king c1→b2.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6p1/P2p3p/2pNp2q/2P3P1/7P/5K2/R7 b - - 0 35

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