Chess Puzzle #17nLp — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; queen f6; rooks d4/g1; pawns e4/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook c3; bishop e6; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc7+ — queen b6→c7, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Opponent replies Rf3+ (rook c3→f3, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf3 — king f4→f3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qc3+ (queen c7→c3, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke4 — king f3→e4.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long, pin. The key move is e5.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3ppp/pq2bQ2/8/3RPK2/2r5/7P/6R1 b - - 4 30

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