Chess Puzzle #zMUJ5 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e4; rooks a1/h1; bishop d2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop e5; knight a5; pawns a7/c6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg3+ — bishop e5→g3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: hxg3 — pawn h2→g3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Re8 (rook f8→e8).
3. Best move: O-O-O — king e1→c1. Opponent replies Rxe4 (rook e8→e4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nxe4 — knight c3→e4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, castling, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move hxg3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/p4p1p/2p3p1/n3b3/4Q3/2N5/PPPB2PP/R3K2R b KQ - 0 16

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