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

Position

White: king d4; queen e7; rook b3; knight d2; pawns c4/e5/f2/f4. Black: king c6; queen e1; rooks f8/h8; pawns a5/c7/d3/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf2+ — queen e1→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kc3 — king d4→c3. Opponent replies Re8 (rook f8→e8).
3. Best move: Qa3 — queen e7→a3.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, short. The key move is Kc3.

Position data

FEN: 5r1r/2p1Q3/2k1p2p/p3P3/2PK1P2/1R1p4/3N1P2/4q3 b - - 9 39

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