Chess Puzzle #5A6fs — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook f1; pawns a2/b3/d6/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook e8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe3+ — queen e7→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3 — queen f3→e3, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e8→e3, captures queen).
3. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies Rd3 (rook e3→d3).
4. Best move: Re1 — rook f1→e1.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move Qxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp2qppp/2pP4/8/8/1P2PQ1P/P5P1/5RK1 b - - 0 23

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