Chess Puzzle #7gEmZ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f3; rook d1; knight f4; pawns a2/b2/c5/d4/e3/g4/h5. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook e8; bishop c7; pawns a5/b7/c6/d5/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3 — queen f3→e3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxg4+ (queen d7→g4, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf2 — king g2→f2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move Qxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1pbq2pp/2p2p2/p1Pp3P/3P1NP1/4PQ2/PP4K1/3R4 b - - 0 29

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