Chess Puzzle #96g3n — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook d3; bishop b3; knight h3; pawns a2/c3/e5/f2/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks g7/g8; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/d7/e6/f5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg2 — bishop b7→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen e3→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rh7 (rook g7→h7).
3. Best move: Qf6+ — queen h6→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Rgg7 (rook g8→g7).
4. Best move: Ng5 — knight h3→g5.

Tactical themes

equality, exposed king, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/pbqp1pr1/1p2p2p/4Pp2/7P/1BPRQ2N/P4PP1/6K1 b - - 1 23

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