Chess Puzzle #P5lEX — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/e1; bishop e2; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks d8/e8; bishop h5; knight b6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe2 — bishop h5→e2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen b3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen f7→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nf7+ — knight e5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
5. Best move: Nxd6 — knight f7→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/pp3ppp/1npq1p2/4N2b/3P4/1QP4P/PP2BPP1/R3R1K1 b - - 6 15

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