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

Position

White: king e1; queen a8; rook c1; bishop e4; knight c4; pawns a2/b3/f2/f3/h4. Black: king c7; queen h3; rook c5; knights d7/f4; pawns a7/d4/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bb7 — bishop e4→b7. Opponent replies Nd3+ (knight f4→d3, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd2 — king e1→d2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, quiet move, short. The key move is Bb7.

Position data

FEN: Q7/p1kn1p1p/6p1/2r5/2NpBn1P/1P3P1q/P4P2/2R1K3 b - - 13 32

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