Chess Puzzle #AthVk — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen d2; bishop d5; pawns d7/f2/g4. Black: king f7; queen a1; rook d8; pawns b7/c4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king f7→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb4+ — queen d2→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e7→d7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qxb7+ — queen b4→b7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king d7→d6).
4. Best move: Qc6+ — queen b7→c6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Qxb7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/1p1P1k1p/6p1/3B4/2p3P1/6K1/3Q1P2/q7 b - - 2 35

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