Chess Puzzle #29I6J — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; bishop b1; pawns a3/b2/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c5; bishops b7/h4; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop b7→f3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen d7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen c5→f8).
3. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop b1→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxf8 — queen e8→f8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1b1Q1pp1/p3p2p/1pq5/7b/P4P1P/1P4P1/1B5K b - - 1 30

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