Chess Puzzle #N5QdK — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen a7; rooks d1/e1; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/e6/h2. Black: king c8; queen e7; rooks d8/g8; bishop g2; pawns a6/b5/c7/d6/f2/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe6 — queen e7→e6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
3. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe6+ — rook e1→e6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, long, middlegame, pin, queenside attack. The key move Rxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr2r1/Q1p1q2p/p2pP3/1p3p2/4N3/8/PPP2pbP/2KRR3 b - - 0 21

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