Chess Puzzle #2nmkY — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d4; knight d5; pawns a5/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e1; rook e8; pawns a6/b5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4+ — queen e1→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen d4→e4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe4 (rook e8→e4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nf6+ — knight d5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/7p/p7/Pp1N4/3Q4/6P1/1P3PKP/4q3 b - - 2 32

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