Learn How to Win Material: Intermezzo Tactics
This middlegame puzzle shows a classic tactical refutation in the Modern Defense: White uses an intermezzo to force the opponent’s king-side structure to react, then wins material with a follow-up on the center. The key idea is that a checking move can be more than a threat — it can also improve your piece activity and expose a loose defender. Here, the position is ripe because Black’s bishop and king-side coordination are under pressure, while White’s queen is ready to exploit the opened lines.