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

Position

White: king d4; queen f7; bishop f4; pawns c4/e5/g5. Black: king h7; queen b3; bishop g2; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd1+ — queen b3→d1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke3 — king d4→e3. Opponent replies Qe1+ (queen d1→e1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd4 — king e3→d4. Opponent replies Qa1+ (queen e1→a1, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke3 — king d4→e3.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, long. The key move is Ke3.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp3Qpk/2p5/4P1P1/2PK1B2/1q6/6b1/8 b - - 1 36

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