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

Position

White: king h1; queen h5; rooks f1/f3; bishops c1/d3; pawns a2/b3/c2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks b8/e7; bishop d6; knight e5; pawns a7/c6/d4/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf3 — knight e5→f3, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
3. Best move: exd6 — pawn e5→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen c7→d6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qxf3 — queen h5→f3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is e5.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/p1q1r1pp/2pb1p2/4n2Q/3pP3/1P1B1R2/P1P3PP/2B2R1K b - - 7 32

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