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

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rook a6; pawns c4/e4/e7/f3/g2. Black: king h7; queen d1; bishop f6; knight e8; pawns c5/d6/e5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc1 — queen d1→c1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8 — rook a6→a8. Opponent replies Bg5 (bishop f6→g5).
3. Best move: Rxe8 — rook a8→e8, captures knight. Opponent replies Bf4 (bishop g5→f4).
4. Best move: Rh8+ — rook e8→h8, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long. The key move is Ra8.

Position data

FEN: 4n3/4P2k/R2p1bp1/2p1p2p/2P1P3/5PQ1/6PK/3q4 b - - 3 38

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