Chess Puzzle #9DiHc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d3; bishops b1/f4; pawns b2/g2/h3. Black: king b7; queen h4; rook a1; bishop c5; pawns b6/d4/g4/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh3 — pawn g4→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe4+ — queen d3→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b7→a7).
3. Best move: Bb8+ — bishop f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb8 (king a7→b8, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxh4 — queen e4→h4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, endgame, long. The key move is Qe4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1k5p/1p6/2b5/3p1Bpq/3Q3P/1P4PK/rB6 b - - 1 40

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