Chess Puzzle #fb49D — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; bishop d2; knight b1; pawns a5/b2/f4/g4/h5. Black: king e8; queen d4; rooks a8/h8; bishops f7/f8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb4 — bishop f8→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen c2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e8→d8).
3. Best move: Qxb4 — queen a4→b4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxb4 (queen d4→b4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Bxb4 — bishop d2→b4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa4+.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/1p3b1p/p3pp2/P2p3P/3q1PP1/8/1PQB4/RN2K2R b KQkq - 0 18

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