Chess Puzzle #3WN8Z — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h4; queen e6; pawns b4/d6/h2. Black: king f4; queen b2; knight b5; pawns a6/b7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe5 — queen b2→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen e6→e5, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe5 (king f4→e5, captures queen).
3. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/p2PQ2p/1n6/1P3k1K/8/1q5P/8 b - - 0 45

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