Chess Puzzle #99CcX — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h3; rooks d1/e1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen d4; rook b8; bishops d3/d6; knight e6; pawns a7/c4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng5 — knight e6→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd7+ — queen h3→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f7→g8).
3. Best move: Nb5 — knight c3→b5.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Qd7+.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/p4k1p/3bn1p1/8/2pq4/2Nb3Q/PP4PP/3RR2K b - - 1 27

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