Chess Puzzle #2PeVP — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h1; queen c1; knight g5; pawns a4/b3/g2. Black: king h7; queen e5; rook c7; pawns f5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king h7→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen c1→c7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen e5→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne6+ — knight g5→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
4. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e6→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long, master, master vs master, sacrifice. The key move Qxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2r4k/6p1/4qpN1/P7/1P6/6P1/2Q4K b - - 6 46

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