Chess Puzzle #sa3ON — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen e2; rooks a1/h1; bishop d3; knight h4; pawns a3/f2/g4/h6. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks a8/f8; bishop e6; knight b8; pawns a7/d4/d5/f5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg4 — pawn f5→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe5 — queen e2→e5. Opponent replies Qxd3+ (queen c3→d3, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king f1→g1. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
4. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen e5→e6, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn3rk1/p4p1p/4b1pP/3p1p2/3p2PN/P1qB4/4QP2/R4K1R b - - 1 20

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