Chess Puzzle #ajrI1 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen f3; bishop c1; pawns a2/c3/d5/f6/h4. Black: king h8; queen e1; rook b8; pawns a7/c4/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook b8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: f7 — pawn f6→f7. Opponent replies Qe2+ (queen e1→e2, gives check).
3. Best move: Bd2 — bishop c1→d2. Opponent replies Qd3+ (queen e2→d3, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxd3 — queen f3→d3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is f7.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/p6p/5P2/3P4/2p4P/2P2Q2/P1K5/2B1q3 b - - 0 37

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