Chess Puzzle #Exxt5 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; knight f5; pawns e3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; bishop d5; pawns e5/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen e7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Ne7 — knight f5→e7. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h7→g7).
4. Best move: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qd8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1q2Qpp1/8/3bpN1p/8/4PP1P/6P1/6K1 b - - 3 33

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