Chess Puzzle #OQl9h — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; bishop f1; pawns a6/c5/h3. Black: king g8; queen a1; bishop e5; pawns e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb2 — queen a1→b2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe2 — queen f3→e2. Opponent replies Qa1 (queen b2→a1).
3. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Qxa7 (queen a1→a7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qxe5 — queen e2→e5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Qe2.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p1p/P3p1p1/2P1b3/8/5Q1P/8/q4B1K b - - 0 35

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