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

Position

White: king h1; queen b3; rook b1; bishop g2; pawns a3/d7/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rook d8; bishop d3; pawns a7/e4/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen c5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8 — queen b3→b8. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook d8→b8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook b1→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Opponent replies Qc7 (queen c4→c7).
5. Best move: d8=Q — pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen c7→d8, captures queen).
6. Best move: Rxd8 — rook b8→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, pin, promotion, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p2P3p/6p1/2q2p2/4p3/PQ1b2P1/6BP/1R5K b - - 3 27

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