Chess Puzzle #3Vmfz — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c7; knight d4; pawns b4/e3/f2/f3/h2. Black: king e7; queen d5; rook a3; pawns a7/b6/e6/f5/h4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen d5→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6+ — knight d4→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king e7→e8).
3. Best move: Qb8+ — queen c7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e8→f7).
4. Best move: Ne5+ — knight c6→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Nc6+.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1Q1k3/1p2p3/3q1p2/1P1N3p/r3PP2/5PKP/8 b - - 8 38

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