Chess Puzzle #nE3jv — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen h5; rook c1; knight d6; pawns a2/b2/e4/g6/h4. Black: king f8; queen g8; rooks b8/f4; pawns a4/e5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf2 — rook f4→f2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5 — queen h5→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
3. Best move: Nc4 — knight d6→c4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move Qxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r3kq1/6p1/3N2P1/4p2Q/p3Pr1P/8/PP6/1KR5 b - - 0 38

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