Chess Puzzle #JVHPv — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks a1/f2; bishop c1; pawns a6/c2/d4/e3/e5/g2. Black: king d7; queen h3; rooks e8/g6; knight c6; pawns c7/e4/e6/f5/g7/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook e8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb8 — queen b7→b8, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxb8 (knight c6→b8, captures queen).
3. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Nc6 (knight b8→c6).
4. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, long, middlegame, promotion, sacrifice. The key move Qxb8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/1Qpk2p1/P1n1p1r1/4Pp2/3Pp2p/4P2q/2P2RP1/R1B3K1 b - - 0 24

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