Chess Puzzle #31QF2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d5; rooks a1/h1; bishop h5; knight e2; pawns a3/d3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen e5; rooks b2/h8; bishop d7; knight a5; pawns a6/c7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe2+ — rook b2→e2, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxe2 — king e1→e2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qb2+ (queen e5→b2, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke3 — king e2→e3. Opponent replies Nb3 (knight a5→b3).
4. Best move: Rad1 — rook a1→d1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Kxe2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3k3r/2pb4/p6p/n2Qq1pB/4P3/P2P4/1r2NPPP/R3K2R b KQ - 2 24

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