Chess Puzzle #q1tqz — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; knight f7; pawns a2/f2/g2/h4. Black: king c6; queen f5; bishops c4/f6; pawns a7/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd4 — bishop f6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd6+ — queen g3→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c6→b5).
3. Best move: a4+ — pawn a2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king b5→a4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d6→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen f5→f7, captures knight).
5. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen d4→c4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, fork, master, pin, very long. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4N2/2k1pb2/5q2/2b4P/6Q1/P4PP1/6K1 b - - 6 46

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