Chess Puzzle #IA5cg — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rooks a1/e1; knights h2/h4; pawns a2/d5/e4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen c7; rooks a4/h8; bishop e7; knight d7; pawns b4/c5/d6/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxh4 — bishop e7→h4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exd6+ — pawn e5→d6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bf6 (bishop h4→f6).
3. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen b2→f6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nxf6 (knight d7→f6, captures queen).
4. Best move: dxc7 — pawn d6→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, discovered attack, long, middlegame. The key move exd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7r/2qnbpk1/3p2pp/2pPP3/rp2P2N/7P/PQ4PN/R3R1K1 b - - 0 25

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