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

Position

White: king e3; queen h6; rooks d1/h1; knight e2; pawns c2/e4/f5/f6/g2. Black: king g8; queens a1/a5; rooks b8/f8; knight c6; pawns d6/f7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa7+ — queen a5→a7, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kf3 — king e3→f3. Opponent replies Ne5+ (knight c6→e5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg3 — king f3→g3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is Kf3.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/5p2/2np1P1Q/q4P2/4P3/4K3/2P1N1P1/q2R3R b - - 3 25

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