Chess Puzzle #0SCce — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c6; rook d1; knight g5; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/e3/f4. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/h5; pawns a7/b6/c7/d5/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe6+ — queen c6→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Nf7+ — knight g5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
4. Best move: Nxd8 — knight f7→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Qe6+.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/p1p3pp/1pQ5/3p1pNr/3P1P2/P3P3/1PP5/2KR4 b - - 0 21

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