Chess Puzzle #2m8Fp — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen a5; knight h5; pawns a2/b3/d5/e3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook e8; pawns a7/b7/c5/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen c6→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb6 — queen a5→b6, captures queen. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nf6+ — knight h5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
4. Best move: Nxe8 — knight f6→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp3p2/2q4p/Q1pP2pN/8/1P2P1P1/P4K1P/8 b - - 0 31

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