Chess Puzzle #N3zOq — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; bishop g2; knight d4; pawns c5/e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen b8; knights d5/e5; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc6 — knight d4→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe8 — queen b8→e8. Opponent replies Bxd5 (bishop g2→d5, captures knight).
3. Best move: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Ne7+ (knight c6→e7, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxe7 — queen e8→e7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Qe8.

Position data

FEN: 1q4k1/5pp1/4p2p/2Pnn3/Q2N3P/4P1P1/5PB1/6K1 w - - 0 29

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