Chess Puzzle #I3e9t — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; rook a7; bishop a3; knight d5; pawns a4/b5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook f2; bishop d4; pawns b6/c5/e3/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb6 — knight d5→b6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: e2+ — pawn e3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king d1→e1).
3. Best move: Bc3+ — bishop d4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf2 (king e1→f2, captures rook).
4. Best move: e1=Q+ — pawn e2→e1, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, promotion. The key move is e2+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/R7/1p5p/1PpN2p1/P2b4/B3p2P/5rP1/3K4 w - - 0 40

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