Chess Puzzle #e5z6j — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rook e1; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/g3. Black: king f7; queen c7; rook h8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd6 — queen c7→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc4 — knight d2→c4. Opponent replies Qc7 (queen d6→c7).
3. Best move: Ne5+ — knight c4→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move is Nc4.

Position data

FEN: 7r/ppq2k2/2p2n1p/3p2p1/8/2PQ2P1/PP1N2P1/4R2K b - - 0 24

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