Chess Puzzle #2sXIW — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen a4; rook h1; bishop f4; knight g1; pawns a2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen d3; rook d8; bishops c5/f5; pawns a6/a7/e6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be4+ — bishop f5→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen a4→e4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxe4+ (queen d3→e4, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxe4 — king f3→e4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p3k1pp/p3pp2/2b2b2/Q4B2/3qPK2/P4PPP/6NR b - - 3 18

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