Chess Puzzle #JiXFp — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks c1/c5; bishop e5; pawns a4/b4/e3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen h4; rooks d7/d8; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe3 — knight d5→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3 — queen b3→e3, captures knight. Opponent replies Rd1+ (rook d7→d1, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxd1 — rook c1→d1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd1+ (rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/pp1r2pp/2p5/2RnBp2/PP2pP1q/1Q2P2P/6P1/2R3K1 b - - 0 36

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