Chess Puzzle #IvN4n — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen e4; rook e7; pawns d7/f2/g3. Black: king f6; queen h2; rooks b8/h8; pawns a6/b5/c5/g5. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh3+ — queen h2→h3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke2 — king f1→e2. Opponent replies Qg4+ (queen h3→g4, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxg4 — queen e4→g4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, short. The key move is Ke2.

Position data

FEN: 1r5r/3PR3/p4k2/1pp3p1/4Q3/6P1/5P1q/5K2 b - - 1 40

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