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

Position

White: king h2; queen e5; knight g5; pawns a2/d4/d6/f2/g2/h4. Black: king f8; queen b1; rook h8; bishop d7; pawns a7/d5/e6/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe6+ — knight g5→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe6 (bishop d7→e6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxe6 — queen e5→e6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qb7 (queen b1→b7).
4. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, long. The key move Nxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k1r/p2b2pp/3Pp3/3pQpN1/3P3P/8/P4PPK/1q6 b - - 3 29

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