Chess Puzzle #fasI8 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rook f6; bishop e5; pawns a3/d4/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook a8; bishop h6; pawns d5/e3/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc8 — queen e6→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb5 — queen e2→b5. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen c8→d8).
3. Best move: Qc6 — queen b5→c6. Opponent replies Bg7 (bishop h6→g7).
4. Best move: Qe6+ — queen c6→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
5. Best move: Rf7 — rook f6→f7. Opponent replies Qxh4+ (queen d8→h4, captures pawn, gives check).
6. Best move: Kg1 — king h1→g1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, very long. The key move is Qb5.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/7p/4qRpb/3pB3/3P3P/P3p3/4Q1P1/7K b - - 2 35

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