Chess Puzzle #2NUfN — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen h3; bishop b3; knight e5; pawns a4/a6/b2/f2/g2. Black: king d7; queen a5; rooks d8/h8; pawns c6/d5/e6/h4. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc8 — king d7→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen h3→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight e5→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b8→c7).
4. Best move: Nxa5 — knight c6→a5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/3k4/P1p1p3/q2pN3/P6p/1B5Q/1P3PP1/5K2 b - - 0 35

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