Chess Puzzle #1vSdn — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/c1; bishop c2; knights b1/g5; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; bishops b7/f8; pawns a6/b5/c7/e6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg5 — queen e7→g5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen e2→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Be7 (bishop f8→e7).
3. Best move: Bg6+ — bishop c2→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg6 (queen g5→g6, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen e6→g6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rkb1r/1bp1q1p1/p3p2p/1p4N1/8/2P5/PPB1QPPP/RNR3K1 b k - 0 17

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