Chess Puzzle #1O6sP — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f4; rooks a1/f6; bishop e3; knight d6; pawns a3/b2/c4/g2/h3. Black: king a8; queen d1; rooks d8/g8; pawns a7/b7/c6/d4/e2/f7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa1 — queen d1→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen f4→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qh1+ (queen a1→h1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxh1 — king h2→h1, captures queen. Opponent replies e1=Q+ (pawn e2→e1, promotes to queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Bg1 — bishop e3→g1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: k2r2r1/pp3p1p/2pN1R2/8/2Pp1Q2/P3B2P/1P2p1PK/R2q4 b - - 1 28

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