Chess Puzzle #57jBe — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a1/e1; bishop g5; knight e8; pawns a2/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen h3; rooks d8/f8; bishops b7/d6; pawns a7/c5/c7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f6 — pawn f7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxf6+ — bishop g5→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qb3+ — queen c3→b3, gives check. Opponent replies c4 (pawn c5→c4).
4. Best move: Qxb7 — queen b3→b7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Bxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rNr1k/pbp2p1p/3b2p1/2p3B1/8/2Q3Pq/PP3P1P/R3R1K1 b - - 1 22

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