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

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rooks a1/d1; bishops a4/h6; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks a8/e8; bishop c8; knights d2/e7; pawns a6/b5/d5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa4 — queen d4→a4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe5 — queen g5→e5. Opponent replies Nf3+ (knight d2→f3, gives check).
3. Best move: gxf3 — pawn g2→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Nf5 (knight e7→f5).
4. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e5→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1r1k1/4np2/p5pB/1p1p2Q1/B2q4/8/P2n1PPP/R2R2K1 b - - 1 23

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