Chess Puzzle #Kxb7m — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; knight d4; pawns a2/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a5; rooks d8/h8; knights c6/e4; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen c2→e4, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ne6+ (knight d4→e6, gives check).
3. Best move: Bd3 — bishop f1→d3.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rk2r/pp3ppp/2n5/q7/3Nn3/4P3/PPQ2PPP/R2K1B1R b k - 4 16

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