Chess Puzzle #L3LYe — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b3; rook d2; bishop h1; pawns a2/b2/c2/g4/h3. Black: king d8; rooks a8/f4; bishops e5/e8; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe3 — queen b3→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f4→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
3. Best move: Bf4 — bishop e5→f4. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxe3+ — bishop f4→e3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, fork, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Bxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2kb3/pp4pp/2p5/3pb3/5rP1/1Q5P/PPPR4/2K4B w - - 0 23

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