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

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook f1; bishop e2; pawns a3/b2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rook b3; bishop c8; pawns a7/c4/d5/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook b3→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4 — queen c2→a4. Opponent replies h6 (pawn h7→h6).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen a4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Rf8 — rook f1→f8. Opponent replies Rb1+ (rook b2→b1, gives check).
5. Best move: Bf1 — bishop e2→f1.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, fork, quiet move, very long. The key move is Qa4.

Position data

FEN: 2b3k1/p5pp/4p3/3pP3/2pq4/Pr6/1PQ1B1PP/5R1K b - - 0 26

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