Chess Puzzle #8GdtA — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen h3; bishop d3; knights f2/g5; pawns a2/b2/c4/e5. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f7; bishop d4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d6/e7/g6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be3+ — bishop d4→e3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3 — queen h3→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qb6 (queen d8→b6).
3. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies Qxc5+ (queen b6→c5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxc5 — queen e3→c5, captures queen. Opponent replies dxc5 (pawn d6→c5, captures queen).
5. Best move: Bc4 — bishop d3→c4.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/pp2pr2/2pp2p1/4P1N1/2Pb4/3B3Q/PP3N2/2K5 b - - 0 23

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