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

Position

White: king h2; queen d2; bishops e3/e4; pawns b4/c5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen a3; rook a1; knight c4; pawns b5/e5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe3 — knight c4→e3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f2→e3, captures knight. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
3. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5. Opponent replies Ra2 (rook a1→a2).
4. Best move: Bd5+ — bishop e4→d5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move fxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6pp/5p2/1pP1p3/1Pn1B1P1/q3B2P/3Q1P1K/r7 b - - 3 39

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