Chess Puzzle #9V0RP — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen f3; rook h1; bishops d3/e3; pawns a2/b3/d5/e4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c3; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/c5/d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bb5+ — bishop d3→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop c8→d7).
3. Best move: Bxd7+ — bishop b5→d7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e8→d7, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, long, middlegame. The key move Bxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/pp3p1p/3p2p1/2pP4/4P3/1PqBBQ2/P3K1PP/7R b kq - 1 19

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