Chess Puzzle #h8bfN — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks a1/h1; bishops e2/e3; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen f6; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/d4; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe3 — bishop d4→e3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f2→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxb2 (queen f6→b2, captures pawn).
3. Best move: dxc6 — pawn d5→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies O-O (king e8→g8).
4. Best move: Qd4 — queen a4→d4.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, opening. The key move fxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/ppp2ppp/2n2q2/3P4/Q2b4/4B3/PP2BPPP/RN2K2R b KQkq - 0 11

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