Chess Puzzle #m1mje — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks d1/e1; pawns a4/c3/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook d3; bishops c4/f8; pawns a6/c5/e4/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd6 — bishop f8→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen e5→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen a5→c3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rc1 — rook d1→c1. Opponent replies Qe5 (queen c3→e5).
4. Best move: Qxe5 — queen e4→e5, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxe5 (bishop d6→e5, captures queen).
5. Best move: Rxc4 — rook c1→c4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5bk1/5p1p/p5p1/q1p1Q3/P1b1p3/2PrP2P/5PP1/3RR1K1 b - - 9 31

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