Chess Puzzle #U5StZ — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen a5; rooks c1/c2; pawns a2/b2. Black: king c7; queen f4; rooks g2/h4; bishop e8; pawns b7/c6/e4. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa7+ — queen a5→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c7→d6).
3. Best move: Rd1+ — rook c1→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d6→e6).
4. Best move: Rxg2 — rook c2→g2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa7+.

Position data

FEN: 4b3/1pk5/2p5/Q7/4pq1r/8/PPR3r1/K1R5 b - - 3 32

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