Chess Puzzle #0V6Ls — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight h5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; bishop d6; knight d4; pawns a6/c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe5 — queen f6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: f4 — pawn f2→f4. Opponent replies Ne2+ (knight d4→e2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Opponent replies Qg5 (queen e5→g5).
4. Best move: Qxe2 — queen g4→e2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is f4.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/5pp1/p1pbpq1p/3p3N/3n2Q1/7P/PPP2PP1/R1B2RK1 b - - 1 16

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