Chess Puzzle #27Zp4 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop b6; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/c6/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen g6; rooks d8/h8; bishops d6/g4; knight f6; pawns a6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc7 — bishop d6→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe2 — queen d1→e2. Opponent replies Bxb6 (bishop c7→b6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxa6+ — queen e2→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
4. Best move: Qb7+ — queen a6→b7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxa6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/5ppp/pBPb1nq1/4p3/4P1b1/5N2/PPP2PPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 15

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