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

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; pawns a6/b4/c3/e3/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen e4; rook e7; pawns c5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe3 — queen e4→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3 — queen f2→e3, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e7→e3, captures queen).
3. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies Re1+ (rook e3→e1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf2 — king g1→f2. Opponent replies Ra1 (rook e1→a1).
5. Best move: Ke3 — king f2→e3. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
6. Best move: Ke4 — king e3→e4.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/4r2k/P6p/2p5/1P2q3/2P1P3/5QPP/6K1 b - - 0 34

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