Chess Puzzle #lAtf2 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen b2; rook h7; pawns c5/f2. Black: king a6; queen a3; knight b3; pawns a7/b7/e6/g5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen a3→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe2+ — queen b2→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king a6→a5).
3. Best move: Qa2+ — queen e2→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Qa4 (queen b4→a4).
4. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, pin. The key move is Qe2+.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp5R/k3p1p1/2P3p1/8/qn6/1Q3P2/1K6 b - - 2 40

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