Chess Puzzle #dc4TT — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d2; rooks a1/h1; bishop e3; knight b3; pawns a3/b2/c2/e5/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen h4; rooks e4/h8; bishops d7/f8; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg5 — queen h4→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd7+ — queen d2→d7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e8→d7, captures queen).
3. Best move: O-O-O+ — king e1→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d7→c8).
4. Best move: Bxg5 — bishop e3→g5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, castling, discovered attack, discovered check, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4kb1r/1p1b1ppp/p3p3/4P3/4r2q/PN2B1P1/1PPQ3P/R3K2R b KQk - 0 17

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