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

Position

White: king h1; queen h5; rook e1; knight e4; pawns a2/d3/f6. Black: king f8; queen c7; rooks b2/g8; bishop d7; pawns a4/c4/c5/c6/g5. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg4 — bishop d7→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen h5→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
3. Best move: f7+ — pawn f6→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen c7→f7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
5. Best move: Nxf7 — knight d6→f7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, attraction, crushing, double check, exposed king, fork, middlegame, very long. The key move is Qh6+.

Position data

FEN: 5kr1/2qb4/2p2P2/2p3pQ/p1p1N3/3P4/Pr6/4R2K b - - 2 36

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