Chess Puzzle #Jx2U0 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h2; queen e7; knight e5; pawns d4/f3/g2. Black: king c8; queen d2; bishop d5; pawns b5/c6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen d2→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd7+ — queen e7→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight e5→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc6 (bishop d5→c6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d7→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Nxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/4Q3/2p5/1p1bN3/3P4/5P2/3q2PK/8 b - - 16 47

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