Chess Puzzle #n35uQ — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e4; rooks e1/e3; pawns a2/b3/c4/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks b8/e8; pawns a7/c6/c7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb3+ — rook b8→b3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: axb3 — pawn a2→b3, captures rook. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
3. Best move: Qxf5 — queen e4→f5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxb3+ (queen a3→b3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kc1 — king b1→c1. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook e8→b8).
5. Best move: d4 — pawn d3→d4.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, very long. The key move axb3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r1k1/p1p2ppp/2p5/4p3/2P1Q3/qP1PR3/P4PPP/1K2R3 b - - 2 21

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