Chess Puzzle #9jJ6x — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen f4; rook h1; bishops f1/g5; pawns a2/c2/d6/f3/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen c3; rooks a8/e1; bishop c8; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c5/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg5 — pawn f6→g5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf6+ — queen f4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king d8→d7).
3. Best move: Bb5+ — bishop f1→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Nc6 (knight e5→c6).
4. Best move: Qxc3 — queen f6→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move is Qf6+.

Position data

FEN: r1bk4/pp5p/3P1p2/2p1n1B1/5Q2/2q2PK1/P1P3PP/4rB1R b - - 0 24

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