Chess Puzzle #ARbCf — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g3; queen c8; knight d2; pawns g4/h3. Black: king c6; queen b2; bishop b5; pawns a6/c5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb6 — king c6→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc4+ — knight d2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc4 (bishop b5→c4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qb8+ — queen c8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king b6→c6).
4. Best move: Qxb2 — queen b8→b2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, sacrifice, skewer. The key move is Nc4+.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/6pp/p1k5/1bp5/6P1/6KP/1q1N4/8 b - - 6 38

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