Chess Puzzle #GhoER — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; rook c1; bishop h3; knight c2; pawns b4/d4/e5/f4/g4/h2. Black: king e8; queen b6; rook h8; bishop e7; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb4 — bishop e7→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxb4 — knight c2→b4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxb4 (knight c6→b4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen b6→d8).
4. Best move: Qxb7 — queen c8→b7, captures pawn. Opponent replies O-O (king e8→g8).
5. Best move: Qxb4 — queen b7→b4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, middlegame, very long. The key move Nxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4k2r/pp2bpp1/1qn1p3/3pP3/1P1P1PPp/2Q4B/2N4P/2R4K b k - 0 28

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