Chess Puzzle #LqIxx — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks b1/e1; bishops c1/f1; knight g5; pawns a3/b2/e4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops d5/g7; knight d7; pawns a6/b5/c4/d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight d7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exd5 — pawn e4→d5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qb6+ (queen d8→b6, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook e8→e1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe1 — queen d2→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move exd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qr1k1/3n1pbp/p2p2p1/1p1b2N1/2p1PP2/P7/1P1Q2PP/1RB1RBK1 b - - 1 18

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