Chess Puzzle #b42Qa — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook a2; knight d4; pawns a3/b4/d3/f6/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen d7; rooks e5/g8; pawns a7/b7/d5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd6 — queen d7→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re2 — rook a2→e2. Opponent replies Rxg2+ (rook g8→g2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxg2 — king g1→g2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rg5+ (rook e5→g5, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf3 — king g2→f3.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Re2.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/pp1q1p1k/5P1p/3pr3/1P1N1Q2/P2P3P/R5P1/6K1 b - - 0 29

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