Chess Puzzle #V0m0R — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks a1/d1; bishop c1; knights c3/e6; pawns a2/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/e7; knights d7/f6; pawns a6/b7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb6 — knight d7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb3 — queen a4→b3. Opponent replies Bxe6 (bishop c8→e6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen b3→e6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook d1→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, opening. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/1p1nb1pp/p3Nn2/8/Q7/2N1P3/PP3PPP/R1BR2K1 b - - 0 12

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