Chess Puzzle #6K3QF — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g4; queen e1; knight d4; pawns b4/c5/g3/h2. Black: king b8; queen a3; bishop a7; pawns a5/b7/c7/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bb8 (bishop a7→b8).
3. Best move: Nc6 — knight d4→c6. Opponent replies Qxb4+ (queen a3→b4, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Nxb4 — knight c6→b4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/bpp2p2/8/p1P5/1P1N2K1/q5P1/7P/4Q3 b - - 1 39

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