Chess Puzzle #yPMI2 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen b2; rook f1; knights e5/f3; pawns a3/b4/d5/e3/e4/g2. Black: king c8; queen h6; rooks f6/h8; bishop g4; pawns a6/b7/c7/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh4+ — queen h6→h4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke2 — king f2→e2. Opponent replies Bxf3+ (bishop g4→f3, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxf3 — knight e5→f3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxe4 (queen h4→e4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qxf6 — queen b2→f6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Ke2.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/1pp2p1p/p4r1q/3PN3/1P2P1b1/P3PN2/1Q3KP1/5R2 b - - 0 30

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