Chess Puzzle #9G1SB — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; bishop b5; knight e3; pawns a2/b2/e4/f3. Black: king f8; queen h4; rooks d8/g8; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/d3/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb4+ — queen d2→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen b4→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd4 (rook d8→d4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nf5+ — knight e3→f5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move is Qb4+.

Position data

FEN: 3r1kr1/pp3p1p/2n2n2/1B6/4P2q/3pNP2/PP1Q4/R2K1R2 b - - 4 22

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