Chess Puzzle #3YdOD — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d3; rook f1; bishop d1; knight f6; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen e5; rooks e8/f8; knight g7; pawns a6/b7/c5/d6/f7/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe3+ — queen e5→e3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3 — queen d3→e3, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e8→e3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nd7+ — knight f6→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b8→c7).
4. Best move: Nxf8 — knight d7→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k2rr2/1p3pn1/p2p1N2/2pPq1pp/2P5/3Q4/PP4PP/2KB1R2 b - - 3 27

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