Chess Puzzle #1xoIT — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c5; knight g4; pawns a2/f2/g3/h6. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook d1; pawns a7/e5/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd5+ — queen d7→d5, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen c5→d5, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd5 (rook d1→d5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight g4→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Nxd5 — knight f6→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p2q3p/5ppP/2Q1p3/6N1/6P1/P4PK1/3r4 b - - 2 38

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