Chess Puzzle #2VA9X — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen e3; bishop e1; pawns a4/b3/c2/e6/f3/h4. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook d1; pawns a5/b7/c4/c6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb3 — pawn c4→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Opponent replies Qc4+ (queen d5→c4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf2 — king e2→f2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, defensive move, endgame, equality, short. The key move is e7.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p4p1/2p1P2p/p2q4/P1p4P/1P2QP2/2P1K3/3rB3 b - - 2 39

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