Chess Puzzle #HIM0a — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen e4; rooks d1/e1; bishop d3; pawns a3/b3/c2/f2/f5/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/f8; knights b6/d5; pawns a5/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f6 — pawn f7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc4 — bishop d3→c4. Opponent replies Nxc4+ (knight b6→c4, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxc4 — queen e4→c4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rfc8 (rook f8→c8).
4. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen c4→d5, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/4qppp/1n6/p2npP2/4Q1P1/PP1B4/1KP2P1P/3RR3 b - - 1 22

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