Chess tactic

Exposed King Puzzle (1378)

After the setup move dxe3, it is White to move. Find the forcing continuation before checking the solution.

Position after dxe3. White to move.

Puzzle ID

0GZBJ

Rating

1378

Side to move

White

Themes

Exposed King, Mate, Mate in 3

Material

Black is ahead by 4 points

FEN

5rk1/1p1bp1b1/1q2n1Q1/pP1p1N2/P7/4p3/3N2PP/2R3K1 w - - 0 26

What to look for

Use the unsafe king position to create forcing checks or mate threats.

26. Nxe7+ 26... Kh8 27. Qh5+ 27... Bh6 28. Qxh6#

The full forcing line from the source position is:

25... dxe3 26. Nxe7+ 26... Kh8 27. Qh5+ 27... Bh6 28. Qxh6#