Chess Puzzle #5ZVvQ — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen h4; rook h1; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f5/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks d8/f8; knights c6/e7; pawns a7/b4/c4/d5/f6/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen h4→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Bh5+ — bishop e2→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Ng6 (knight e7→g6).
4. Best move: Re1 — rook h1→e1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Qh7+.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/p3n1p1/2n2p2/q2p1P2/1ppP3Q/2N3P1/PPP1B1P1/1K5R b - - 3 22

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