Chess Puzzle #wcD1U — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h6; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e4/h3. Black: king d8; queen d7; rook g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d4/d6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c6 — pawn c7→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh4+ — queen h6→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d8→c8).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
4. Best move: Nxg8 — knight e7→g8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move is Qh4+.

Position data

FEN: 3k2r1/pppq4/3p3Q/3N4/3pP3/3P3P/PPP4K/8 b - - 2 27

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