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

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook f1; pawns b5/d4/f4/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c3; rook d2; pawns a6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen e4→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Re1+ — rook f1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e7→f6).
4. Best move: Qa6+ — queen a8→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king f6→f5).
5. Best move: g4+ — pawn g2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf4 (king f5→f4, captures pawn).
6. Best move: Qd6+ — queen a6→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf3 (king f4→f3).
7. Best move: Rf1+ — rook e1→f1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move is Qa8+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5pp1/p6p/1P6/3PQP2/2q4P/3r2P1/5RK1 b - - 0 31

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