Chess Puzzle #tkhq3 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen e2; rook g4; knight f3; pawns a2/d4/e6. Black: king g7; queen c3; rook h3; knight g6; pawns a6/b7/d5/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe5+ — queen e2→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
3. Best move: Qxf5 — queen e5→f5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move is Qe5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3pk1/p3P1n1/3p4/3P2R1/2q2N1r/P3QK2/8 b - - 0 31

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