Chess Puzzle #87VPX — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/e1; knights f3/f4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g7; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishop e7; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc7 — queen d8→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen d3→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies fxg6 (pawn f7→g6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne6+ — knight f4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g7→f7).
4. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e6→c7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rac8 (rook a8→c8).
5. Best move: Nxe8 — knight c7→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qr3/pp1nbpk1/2p2pp1/3p4/3P1NP1/3Q1N1P/PPP2P2/R3R1K1 b - - 5 18

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