Chess Puzzle #l2XIf — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen b3; rooks a2/f3; bishop b5; knight e6; pawns d2/f2. Black: king g8; queen h2; rooks b8/d8; bishop g6; pawns a5/b6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxe6 — pawn f7→e6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen b3→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qe7+ — queen e6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
4. Best move: Qe3+ — queen e7→e3, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1r2k1/5p1p/1p2N1b1/pB6/8/1Q3R2/R2P1P1q/5K2 b - - 0 35

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