Chess Puzzle #VyqeN — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d4; rook d2; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/c2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen e7; rooks a8/h8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/f6/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: O-O-O — king e8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa7 — queen d4→a7, captures pawn. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c7→c5).
3. Best move: Na5 — knight b3→a5. Opponent replies Bc6 (bishop d7→c6).
4. Best move: Nxc6 — knight a5→c6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Qxa7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pppbq2p/5p2/6p1/3Qp3/1NP4P/PPPR1PP1/2K5 b kq - 0 19

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