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

Position

White: king h2; queen h6; rook a3; bishop c3; knight e4; pawns a4/b2/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks d1/e8; bishop a6; knight e1; pawns a5/c6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f6 — pawn f7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exf6 — pawn e5→f6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qc7+ (queen b6→c7, gives check).
3. Best move: f4 — pawn f2→f4. Opponent replies Nf3+ (knight e1→f3, gives check).
4. Best move: gxf3 — pawn g2→f3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move exf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/4pp1p/bqp3pQ/p3P3/P3N3/R1B4P/1P3PPK/3rn3 b - - 3 25

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