Chess Puzzle #EXxIq — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h4; knight e4; pawns a5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g7; queen e5; rook d1; pawns c6/e6/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe7+ — queen h4→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
3. Best move: Nf6 — knight e4→f6. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen e5→f6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxf6 — queen e7→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qe7+.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pk1/2p1p1p1/P3q2p/4N2Q/6PP/5P1K/3r4 b - - 0 40

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