Chess Puzzle #zItFO — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b5; rooks e3/f1; bishop a4; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d2; rooks c8/h8; bishop g4; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe3 — queen d2→e3, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd7 — queen b5→d7. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Bc2+ — bishop a4→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Bf5 (bishop g4→f5).
5. Best move: Bxf5+ — bishop c2→f5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies exf5 (pawn e6→f5, captures bishop).
6. Best move: Qxf5+ — queen f7→f5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k1r/p4pp1/1p2p2p/1Q6/B5b1/2P1R3/PP1q2PP/5R1K b - - 0 23

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