Chess Puzzle #5Qq9B — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f6; rook a1; knight d5; pawns a2/c2/f2/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks b2/c8; pawns a7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc2 — queen c7→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf2+ (queen c2→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxf2 — queen f6→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p1q2p1p/4pQp1/3N4/6P1/8/PrP2P1P/R5K1 b - - 0 25

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