Chess Puzzle #4idpZ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen h5; knight g6; pawns a3/b4/f2/g3. Black: king e7; queen e6; rook e4; pawns a6/b5/g4/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king e7→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc5+ — queen h5→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king d6→d7).
3. Best move: Nf8+ — knight g6→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
4. Best move: Nxe6 — knight f8→e6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move is Qc5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k3/p3q1Np/1p5Q/1P2r1p1/P5P1/5PK1/8 b - - 5 46

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