Chess Puzzle #U7246 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rooks b1/f1; pawns a2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen e3; rooks a8/e8; bishop c5; pawns a7/c6/d5/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb6 — bishop c5→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb7 — queen f7→b7. Opponent replies Qxe5 (queen e3→e5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rf7 — rook f1→f7. Opponent replies Qc7 (queen e5→c7).
4. Best move: Rxc7 — rook f7→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move is Qb7.

Position data

FEN: r2kr3/p4Q2/2p1p2p/2bpP3/8/4q3/P5PP/1R3R1K b - - 5 28

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