Chess Puzzle #ZqN2U — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c5; pawns a5/b4/d4/d5/g2/g3/h3. Black: king f7; queen e7; pawns a6/b7/c6/f6/g5/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc5 — queen e7→c5, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: dxc5 — pawn d4→c5, captures queen. Opponent replies cxd5 (pawn c6→d5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b7→c6, captures pawn).
5. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move dxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p2qk2/p1p2p2/P1QP2pp/1P1P4/6PP/6PK/8 b - - 0 37

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