Chess Puzzle #aE64g — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen f4; rooks d4/e1; pawns f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen c3; rook f8; bishop c8; pawns c6/d7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ba6 — bishop c8→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
3. Best move: Qd6+ — queen b8→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e7→f6).
4. Best move: Qe5+ — queen d6→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qb8+.

Position data

FEN: 2b1kr2/3p1p1p/2p1p1p1/8/3R1Q2/2q3P1/5P1P/3KR3 b - - 1 26

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