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

Position

White: king g1; rook b1; bishop c4; pawns b4/b5/e6/f4/g3/h2. Black: king b8; rook d8; knight c2; pawns a7/b7/c7/e3/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Na3 — knight c2→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook d8→c8).
3. Best move: Be6 — bishop c4→e6. Opponent replies Re8 (rook c8→e8).
4. Best move: Rd1 — rook b1→d1.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, clearance, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is e7.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/ppp3pp/4P3/1P6/1PB2P2/4p1P1/2n4P/1R4K1 b - - 0 26

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