Chess Puzzle #n1xdl — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks d1/h1; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/c4/d6/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen e3; rooks a8/h8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb2 — bishop g7→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: dxe7+ — pawn d6→e7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe7 (king d8→e7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qb4+ — queen a4→b4, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, attraction, double check, master, middlegame, short. The key move dxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2k3r/pp2ppbp/3P2p1/8/Q1P5/4q3/PP2B1PP/3RK2R b K - 0 18

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