Chess Puzzle #1Qfbs — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d5; rook d1; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g3/g4. Black: king e7; queen e3; rooks a8/f2; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d5→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight c6→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nd5+ — knight c3→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king e7→e8).
4. Best move: Nxe3 — knight d5→e3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/ppp1k1pp/2n5/3Qp3/6P1/2N1q1P1/PPP1Br2/3RK3 b - - 8 22

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