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

Position

White: king d3; rook d7; knight f7; pawns a3/b5/c6/h3. Black: king c8; queen b2; pawns b6/e6/f5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa3+ — queen b2→a3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke2 — king d3→e2. Opponent replies Qb2+ (queen a3→b2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf3 — king e2→f3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Ke2.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/3R1N2/1pP1p1p1/1P3p2/8/P2K3P/1q6/8 b - - 5 45

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