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

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; knight c8; pawns a3/b2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; bishop d5; pawns a7/c4/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4 — queen e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen d2→d5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen e4→d5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c8→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2N3k1/p5p1/7p/3bq3/2p5/P6P/1P1Q2P1/7K b - - 1 41

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