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

Position

White: king b3; queen g7; rook f4; bishop d2; knight b5; pawns a3/b4/c5/f5. Black: king c8; queen a1; rooks d8/h2; bishop h4; pawns a7/b7/d3/f6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb1+ — queen a1→b1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ka4 — king b3→a4. Opponent replies Qd1+ (queen b1→d1, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka5 — king a4→a5. Opponent replies b6+ (pawn b7→b6, gives check).
4. Best move: cxb6 — pawn c5→b6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Ka4.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/pp4Q1/5p2/1NP2P2/1P3R1b/PK1p4/3B3r/q7 b - - 3 36

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