Chess Puzzle #xBxNv — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; bishop f3; knight d3; pawns b3/c2/d5/f2/h5. Black: king h6; queen g7; knights b5/b6; pawns b4/c5/d6/e5/e7/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king h6→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Be4+ — bishop f3→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Nxe5 — knight d3→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies dxe5 (pawn d6→e5, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxb6 — queen e6→b6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Be4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/4p1q1/1n1pQ2k/1npPp1pP/1p6/1P1N1B2/2P2P2/6K1 b - - 5 38

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