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

Position

White: king a4; queen h6; rook f7; bishop c1; pawns a3/c3/d4/e5/h3. Black: king c6; queen h1; rooks b8/g2; pawns a7/d5/e6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook b8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7 — queen h6→h7. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook e8→b8).
3. Best move: Ka5 — king a4→a5. Opponent replies Rb5+ (rook b8→b5, gives check).
4. Best move: Ka6 — king a5→a6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qh7.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/p4R2/2k1p2Q/3pP2p/K2P4/P1P4P/6r1/2B4q b - - 5 26

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