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

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook c7; knight h6; pawns a3/e4/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen g3; rook d3; knight h5; pawns a6/e6/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king g7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e5+ — pawn e4→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe5 (king f6→e5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nf7+ — knight h6→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e5→f6).
4. Best move: Qb2+ — queen d2→b2, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, long. The key move is e5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/2R3kp/p3p1pN/5p1n/4P3/P2r2qP/3Q2P1/6K1 b - - 1 36

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