Chess Puzzle #Ma3xB — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f5; rooks d1/g1; bishop d3; pawns b2/c2/e3/h4. Black: king g8; queen a4; rooks c8/e8; bishop a3; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen a4→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6 — queen f5→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxb2+ (queen b4→b2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxb2 — queen f6→b2, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxb2 (bishop a3→b2, captures queen).
4. Best move: Kxb2 — king b1→b2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/1p3pp1/p4n1p/5Q2/q6P/b2BP3/1PP5/1K1R2R1 b - - 1 24

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