Chess Puzzle #I6AWB — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a3; queen f4; rook a1; bishop f6; knight a4; pawns b3/d4/h4. Black: king g8; queen e2; rook a8; bishop c2; pawns c6/d5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa4+ — rook a8→a4, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b3→a4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qd3+ (queen e2→d3, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb4 — king a3→b4. Opponent replies Qc4+ (queen d3→c4, gives check).
4. Best move: Ka5 — king b4→a5.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, hanging piece, long. The key move bxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/6p1/2p2B1p/3p4/N2P1Q1P/KP6/2b1q3/R7 b - - 0 36

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