Chess Puzzle #pnZ55 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d2; rooks a1/h1; knight e2; pawns b2/b3/c4/d3/f2/g2. Black: king g5; queen g4; rooks d8/e8; bishop c6; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c5/d4/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg6 — king g5→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen d2→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king g6→f5).
3. Best move: Ng3+ — knight e2→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f5→e6).
4. Best move: Re1+ — rook a1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e6→d7).
5. Best move: Qxf6 — queen h6→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxe1+ (rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check).
6. Best move: Kxe1 — king f1→e1, captures rook. Opponent replies Re8+ (rook d8→e8, gives check).
7. Best move: Kd2 — king e1→d2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, deflection, equality, exposed king, middlegame, very long. The key move is Qh6+.

Position data

FEN: 3rr3/pp3p2/2b2n2/2p3k1/2Pp2q1/1P1P4/1P1QNPP1/R4K1R b - - 1 26

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