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

Position

White: king h2; queen h4; bishop h6; knight e4; pawns a3/b4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen e2; bishop f2; knight e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke8 — king f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
3. Best move: Qf6 — queen h4→f6. Opponent replies Qxe5+ (queen e2→e5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxe5 — queen f6→e5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/pp3p2/2p1n1pB/4P2p/1P2N2Q/P6P/4qbPK/8 b - - 1 42

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