Chess Puzzle #0ISpP — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen b3; rooks g1/h2; knight b5; pawns a4/b2/c6/h3. Black: king b6; queen d2; rook d8; knights b4/e3; pawns a5/c7/e5/f6/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh2 — queen d2→h2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen b3→e3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rd4 (rook d8→d4).
3. Best move: Nxd4 — knight b5→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e5→d4, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen e3→d4, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/2p5/1kP2p2/pN2p3/Pn5p/1Q2n2P/1P1q3R/1K4R1 b - - 0 34

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