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

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; knight d6; pawns a5/d4/e3/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen f3; knight d5; pawns b4/c6/e6/f6/g4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight d5→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen b3→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Nf5 — knight d6→f5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, short. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/8/2pNpp2/P2n4/1p1P2p1/1Q2PqP1/5P2/6K1 b - - 1 35

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