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

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rook c8; bishop e3; knight g5; pawns f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen g6; rook f8; bishops d6/d7; knight b8; pawns a7/d5/e6/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc8 — bishop d7→c8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b7→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
3. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen c8→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e7→d8).
4. Best move: Qxd6+ — queen e6→d6, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1nR1kr2/pQ1b3p/3bppq1/3p2N1/8/4B3/5PPP/6K1 b - - 1 23

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