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

Position

White: king h1; queen f4; rook g1; bishop f6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/e4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king h7; queen h3; rooks a8/e8; bishop d4; pawns a7/c6/c7/d6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop d4→f6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6 — queen f4→f6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook e8→g8).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
4. Best move: Qf6+ — queen f7→f6, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r3/p1p2p1k/2pp1B1p/8/3bPQ2/2N2P1q/PP3P1P/6RK b - - 0 21

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