Chess Puzzle #T2Ejx — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h6; rook d1; knights d2/g5; pawns a2/b3/d4/f2/g2/g3. Black: king d7; queen c3; rook a8; bishops d6/e8; knight e7; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen c3→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen h6→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d7→c7).
3. Best move: Qxe7+ — queen e6→e7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe7 (bishop d6→e7, captures queen).
4. Best move: Ne6+ — knight g5→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c7→d6).
5. Best move: Nxd4 — knight e6→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3b3/pp1kn3/3bp2Q/3p2N1/3P4/1Pq3P1/P2N1PP1/3RK3 b - - 3 21

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