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

Position

White: king c1; queen h5; bishop f5; pawns a3/f3/g4/g7. Black: king g8; queen d6; rook a7; pawns a5/b5/c4/e5/f6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg7 — rook a7→g7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen h5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen d6→f8).
3. Best move: Be6+ — bishop f5→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook g7→f7).
4. Best move: Bxf7+ — bishop e6→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
5. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen e8→f8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g7→f8, captures queen).
6. Best move: Bd5 — bishop f7→d5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, pin, very long. The key move Bxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/r5P1/3q1p2/pp2pB1Q/2p3P1/P4P2/8/2K5 b - - 0 43

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