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

Position

White: king e3; bishop d3; pawns a4/b3/d4/f4/g5. Black: king d5; knight e4; pawns a5/b5/c6/f5/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe4+ — bishop d3→e4, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies fxe4 (pawn f5→e4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b3→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c6→c5).
4. Best move: dxc5 — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, intermezzo, long, zugzwang. The key move Bxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2p3p1/pp1k1pP1/P2PnP2/1P1BK3/8/8 b - - 0 41

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