Chess Puzzle #MCXxP — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d4; rook e2; pawns c5/e3/f3/g2/h4. Black: king h6; rooks d7/e8; bishop c6; knight d5; pawns a6/b7/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe3 — knight d5→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf4+ — queen d4→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h6→g7).
3. Best move: Rxe3 — rook e2→e3, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e8→e3, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe3 — queen f4→e3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, intermezzo, long. The key move is Qf4+.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/1p1r3p/p1b3pk/2Pn1p2/3Q3P/4PP2/4R1PK/8 b - - 14 40

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