Chess Puzzle #saZ1g — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen c7; rook e1; bishops e2/h4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/h2. Black: king e8; queen e4; rooks a8/h8; bishops e6/h6; knight g8; pawns a7/b7/d6/f7/g4/h7. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook a8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bb5+ — bishop e2→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
3. Best move: Qxd6+ — queen c7→d6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
4. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e1→e4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k1nr/ppQ2p1p/3pb2b/8/3Pq1pB/8/PPP1B2P/1K2R3 b kq - 0 18

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