Chess Puzzle #H6amF — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b3; rook c1; bishops d3/e3; knights d4/e2; pawns a4/b2/e4/f3. Black: king e8; queen e5; rook a8; bishops b4/b7; knights b8/f6; pawns a6/d5/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe4 — pawn d5→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen b3→b4, captures bishop. Opponent replies exf3 (pawn e4→f3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nf5 — knight d4→f5. Opponent replies fxe2+ (pawn f3→e2, captures knight, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxb7 — queen b4→b7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn2k3/1b3pp1/p3pn2/3pq3/Pb1NP3/1Q1BBP2/1P2N3/2R4K b q - 2 20

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