Chess Puzzle #l4zci — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen c4; rooks a1/f1; pawns c2/d3/e4/g2/g3. Black: king c8; queen g4; rooks d8/g8; knight e6; pawns b6/e5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc7 — knight e6→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc6 — queen c4→c6. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Qxb6+ — queen c6→b6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king b8→c8).
4. Best move: Qc6 — queen b6→c6. Opponent replies Qxg3+ (queen g4→g3, captures pawn, gives check).
5. Best move: Ke2 — king f2→e2.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, master, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr2r1/5p2/1p2n2p/4p3/2Q1P1q1/3P2P1/2P2KP1/R4R2 b - - 1 28

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