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

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rooks d1/f1; knight d5; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks b8/h8; bishop c8; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/d7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb8 — queen c7→b8, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxb8 (knight c6→b8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Nxf5 — knight e7→f5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The key move Qxb8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1rb3kr/p1Qp2pp/1pn5/3N1q2/8/8/P4PPP/3R1RK1 b - - 4 18

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