Chess Puzzle #4YAbs — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rooks a1/g1; bishop e2; pawns a2/c2/c3/d4/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/e8; bishop f5; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/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: f3 — pawn f2→f3. Opponent replies Bxf3+ (bishop e4→f3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxf3 — bishop e2→f3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is f3.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp3ppp/2p3q1/3p1b2/3P4/2P5/P1PQBP1P/R5RK b - - 0 23

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