Chess Puzzle #12Y1C — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen b2; rook h1; bishops e2/f4; knights d2/f3; pawns b5/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks c8/h8; bishop f5; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c8→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen b2→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rc1+ (rook c2→c1, gives check).
3. Best move: Bd1 — bishop e2→d1. Opponent replies Bc2 (bishop f5→c2).
4. Best move: Qxb6 — queen d4→b6, captures queen. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures queen).
5. Best move: Ke2 — king e1→e2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k2r/pp3ppp/1q2p3/1P1p1b2/3n1B2/4PN2/1Q1NBPPP/4K2R b Kk - 0 18

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