Chess Puzzle #pA3Cs — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks b1/f1; pawns a5/b4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks d2/d8; pawns f7/g7/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe2 — queen e5→e2. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f3→f4).
3. Best move: R8d5 — rook d8→d5. Opponent replies Qa8+ (queen c6→a8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh7 — king g8→h7.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Qe2.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5pp1/2Q5/P3q2p/1P6/5P1P/3r2P1/1R3RK1 w - - 1 31

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