Chess Puzzle #75eNA — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks b1/e1; knight b5; pawns a3/c4/d6/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f7; bishops d7/e5; pawns a5/b6/c5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb5 — bishop d7→b5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen d5→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Qd5+ — queen a8→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: f4 — pawn f2→f4.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/3b1rpp/1p1P1q2/pNpQb3/2P1P3/P5P1/5P1P/1R2R1K1 b - - 2 22

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