Chess Puzzle #3tq3X — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e3; bishop b2; knight f7; pawns a3/d4/f3/g3/h4. Black: king h7; queen d5; bishop e7; knight b5; pawns a5/b6/e6/f5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf6 — bishop e7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen e3→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen h6→g6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4bN1k/1p2p1pp/pn1q1p2/3P3P/P3QPP1/1B5K/8 b - - 9 45

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