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

Position

White: king g1; queen e1; pawns a3/b4/c5/d4/e3/g3/h4. Black: king e4; queen f3; pawns a7/b7/c6/f5/f6/g6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe3+ — queen f3→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen e1→e3, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe3 (king e4→e3, captures queen).
3. Best move: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Opponent replies cxd5 (pawn c6→d5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move Qxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp4p1/2p2pp1/2P2p2/1P1Pk2P/P3PqP1/8/4Q1K1 b - - 4 36

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