Chess Puzzle #255Zj — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen d6; knight e5; pawns a2/c3/d4/e3/f2/g2. Black: king e8; queen b2; knight f6; pawns a5/c4/d5/e6/g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf4 — king f3→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen b2→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nf3 (knight e5→f3).
3. Best move: Kf7 — king e8→f7.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move Qxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/8/3Qpn2/p2pN3/2pP2p1/2P1PK2/Pq3PP1/8 w - - 0 38

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