Chess Puzzle #2eQj9 — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; queen d7; knight e6; pawns e3/e4. Black: king b6; queen b2; knight a4; pawns a5/c5/e5/f6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight a4→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc7+ — queen d7→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka6 (king b6→a6).
3. Best move: Nxc5+ — knight e6→c5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Nxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/3Q4/1k2Np2/p1p1p3/n3P3/4PK2/1q6/8 b - - 7 45

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