Chess Puzzle #SBn1Q — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rooks a1/d1; pawns a3/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook d8; bishop d5; knight f6; pawns a6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen d7→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e4 — pawn e3→e4. Opponent replies Nxe4 (knight f6→e4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qxe4 — queen b4→e4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is e4.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/3q1ppp/p3pn2/3b4/1Q6/P3P1P1/5P1P/R2R2K1 b - - 9 25

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