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

Position

White: king b1; queen e6; rook c2; pawns a2/c7/d5. Black: king g3; queen e4; rook a3; pawns c5/d6/e5/f4/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook a3→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxa2 — king b1→a2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc2+ (queen e4→c2, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka1 — king a2→a1. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f4→f3).
4. Best move: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, long, promotion. The key move Kxa2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2P5/3pQ1p1/2pPp2p/4qp2/r5k1/P1R5/1K6 b - - 0 49

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