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

Position

White: king c1; queen h3; rooks g1/g6; pawns a2/b2/c3/g7. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks c7/c8; pawns a7/b5/e6/f5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6 — queen h3→h6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxc3+ (rook c7→c3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb1 — king c1→b1. Opponent replies Qe4+ (queen e5→e4, gives check).
4. Best move: Ka1 — king b1→a1. Opponent replies Qe3 (queen e4→e3).
5. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h6→h8, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Qxh6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p1r3P1/4p1Rp/1p2qp2/8/2P4Q/PP6/2K3R1 b - - 1 32

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