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

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks c8/f1; pawns b4/b7/f3/g2. Black: king h8; queen h5; rook f8; bishops g3/h3; pawns e3/f4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bh2+ — bishop g3→h2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop h3→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: bxc8=Q — pawn b7→c8, captures bishop, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Bg3+ (bishop h2→g3, gives check).
4. Best move: Qh3 — queen c8→h3.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, long, master, middlegame, promotion. The key move is Kh1.

Position data

FEN: 2R2r1k/1P4pp/8/7q/1PQ2p2/4pPbb/6P1/5RK1 b - - 2 33

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