Chess Puzzle #VFS9L — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen g2; rook g3; knight d4; pawns a2/c3/h4. Black: king g7; queen e6; rook f5; knight c4; pawns a6/b5/d5/e7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4+ — queen e6→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen g2→e4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rf2+ (rook f5→f2, gives check).
3. Best move: Qe2 — queen e4→e2. Opponent replies Rxe2+ (rook f2→e2, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Nxe2 — knight d4→e2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/4p1k1/p3q1p1/1p1p1r1p/2nN3P/2P3R1/P1K3Q1/8 b - - 5 34

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