Chess Puzzle #bS8kt — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen b5; bishop f6; knight c5; pawns a5/d4/e5/f4/h3. Black: king g7; queen c7; rook b8; bishop e6; pawns d5/f5/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g7→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe2 — queen b5→e2. Opponent replies Rb1+ (rook b8→b1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg2 — king f1→g2. Opponent replies Kh6 (king h7→h6).
4. Best move: Qf2 — queen e2→f2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Qe2.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/2q2pk1/4bB2/PQNpPp2/3P1P2/7P/8/5K2 b - - 2 34

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