Chess Puzzle #FpkNC — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c2; pawns b4/g4/h3. Black: king e5; rook e6; knight e4; pawns a6/b5/d4/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight e4→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf5+ — queen c2→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e5→d6).
3. Best move: Qc5+ — queen f5→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king d6→d7).
4. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen c5→d4, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p3r2p/1p2k1p1/1P1pn1P1/7P/2Q3K1/8 b - - 5 43

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