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

Position

White: king b1; queen b4; rooks a3/h1; bishop b5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e5/f3. Black: king b8; queen f4; rooks c8/h8; knight g6; pawns b6/b7/c7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h3. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h2 — pawn h3→h2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4 — queen b4→a4. Opponent replies c6 (pawn c7→c6).
3. Best move: Qa7+ — queen a4→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b8→c7).
4. Best move: Bxc6 — bishop b5→c6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin, queenside attack, quiet move. The key move is Qa4.

Position data

FEN: 1kr4r/1pp2pp1/1p2p1n1/1B1pP3/1Q1P1q2/R4P1p/PPP5/1K5R b - - 1 24

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