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

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop f3; knight d6; pawns a2/b3/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks a8/d8; bishop c8; knight d4; pawns a7/b6/d7/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf3+ — knight d4→f3, captures bishop, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf3 — queen d1→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen e5→d6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxa8 — queen f3→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1br2k1/p2p1pp1/1p1Np2p/4q3/2Pn4/1P3B2/P4PPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 2 19

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