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

Position

White: king b1; queen d3; rook g1; knights a5/e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4. Black: king b7; queen h5; rooks d8/h8; bishop d6; knight f5; pawns a7/c6/e6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka8 — king b7→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa6 — queen d3→a6. Opponent replies Qf7 (queen h5→f7).
3. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen a6→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a8→b8).
4. Best move: Qb5+ — queen c6→b5, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, queenside attack. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/pk4p1/2pbp2p/N4n1q/3P4/3Q4/PPP1N3/1K4R1 b - - 1 23

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