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

Position

White: king e1; queen c2; rooks a1/f1; knights a3/e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/g4. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks a8/h3; bishop e3; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight f6→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen c2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
3. Best move: Nd7+ — knight e5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
4. Best move: Nxb6 — knight d7→b6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa4+.

Position data

FEN: r3k3/pp3pp1/1q2pnp1/3pN3/6P1/N1P1b2r/PPQ5/R3KR2 b Qq - 1 17

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