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

Position

White: king h2; queen a5; rook a4; bishop b6; pawns a3/e5/f4/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen b7; rook b2; bishop e7; pawns b3/d5/f7/g6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ba7+ — bishop b6→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king b8→c8).
3. Best move: Rc4+ — rook a4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
4. Best move: Qa4+ — queen a5→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d7→e6).
5. Best move: Rc6+ — rook c4→c6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, queenside attack, very long. The key move is Ba7+.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1q2bpp1/1B4p1/Q2pP3/R4P2/Pp5P/1r4PK/8 b - - 0 38

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