Chess Puzzle #qOTby — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen b6; rook c5; pawns b3/e3/f4/h5. Black: king h8; queen d7; rook a2; pawns b4/d5/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook a2→b2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen b6→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Rc8 — rook c5→c8. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen d7→c8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc8 — queen b8→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Qb8+.

Position data

FEN: 7k/3q2p1/1Q5p/2Rp1p1P/1p3P2/1P1KP3/r7/8 b - - 1 37

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