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

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rook a1; bishops c1/c2; knights b1/g5; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks a8/f8; bishop a5; knight h4; pawns a7/c6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa1 — queen d4→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop c2→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxh4 — queen f2→h4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qd4+ (queen a1→d4, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen h4→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Bxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p4ppp/2p5/b5N1/3q3n/8/P1B2QPP/RNB3K1 b - - 1 20

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