Chess Puzzle #8yZTv — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; knight c6; pawns e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen b7; rook b8; pawns b5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen b7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen d6→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb8 (queen b6→b8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxb8 — knight c6→b8, captures queen. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b5→b4).
4. Best move: Nc6 — knight b8→c6. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b4→b3).
5. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
6. Best move: Nd5 — knight e7→d5.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/1q3pp1/2NQ3p/1p6/7P/4P1P1/5P1K/8 b - - 8 51

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