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

Position

White: king g2; queen e2; bishop b2; pawns b4/d4/e5/f7/g3. Black: king f8; queen a3; bishop c7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb4 — queen a3→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Opponent replies Bd6 (bishop c7→d6).
3. Best move: Qh5 — queen e2→h5. Opponent replies Qd2+ (queen b4→d2, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh3 — king g2→h3. Opponent replies Qh6 (queen d2→h6).
5. Best move: Qxh6 — queen h5→h6, captures queen. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures queen).
6. Best move: Kg4 — king h3→g4. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
7. Best move: Kf5 — king g4→f5. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b7→b5).
8. Best move: Bc1 — bishop b2→c1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move is e6.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/ppb2Pp1/2p5/3pP3/1P1P4/q5P1/1B2Q1K1/8 b - - 1 39

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