Chess Puzzle #M2Sq2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f1; rook f8; bishop c1; pawns a4/c3/d4/e3/g3/h2. Black: king h7; queen f3; rook a6; bishop h6; pawns c6/d5/e4/g6/h3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf8 — queen f3→f8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa6 — queen f1→a6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qf3 (queen f8→f3).
3. Best move: Qf1 — queen a6→f1. Opponent replies Bxe3+ (bishop h6→e3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Bxe3 — bishop c1→e3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxa6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5R2/7k/r1p3pb/3p4/P2Pp3/2P1PqPp/7P/2B2QK1 b - - 4 36

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