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

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rooks a1/f1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d6/e6/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c1/e4; knight g8; pawns a6/b7/f6/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: d7+ — pawn d6→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen d8→d7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: exd7+ — pawn e6→d7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, middlegame, short. The key move exd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qk1nr/1p6/p2PPppp/2Q5/4b3/8/PPP3PP/R1b2RK1 b kq - 0 20

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