Chess Puzzle #IoCFv — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen h6; bishop e2; pawns a3/b2/g4/h3. Black: king c5; queen e3; knight e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg6 — queen h6→g6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe2+ — queen e3→e2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe2 (king d1→e2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nf4+ — knight e6→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king e2→e3).
4. Best move: Nxg6 — knight f4→g6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp6/2p1n2Q/2k3p1/6P1/P3q2P/1P2B3/3K4 w - - 9 42

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