Chess Puzzle #G3nMG — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c8; rook f2; bishop g2; pawns c2/d5/e5/g3/h3. Black: king h7; queen b1; rook b2; bishop d6; knight e3; pawns c5/d4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook b2→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Be4+ — bishop g2→e4, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
3. Best move: Bxc2 — bishop e4→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc2 (queen b1→c2, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Rxc2 — rook f2→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Be4+.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/5ppk/3b3p/2pPP3/3p4/4n1PP/1rP2RBK/1q6 b - - 0 31

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