Chess Puzzle #JvQ5b — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen d2; rook g1; pawns b3/d5/e6/f3/h3. Black: king f8; queen c5; rook a8; pawns b4/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg1 — queen c5→g1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4+ — queen d2→b4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
3. Best move: exf7+ — pawn e6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: f8=Q — pawn f7→f8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, long, promotion. The key move Qxb4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/5pp1/4P2p/2qP4/1p6/1P3P1P/1K1Q4/6R1 b - - 0 31

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