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

Position

White: king d2; queen a4; rooks a1/d3; bishop g2; knight e4; pawns b3/e3/f3/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks b8/e8; bishop a2; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e8→e4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen a4→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qa5+ (queen c7→a5, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke2 — king d2→e2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r1k1/1pq2ppp/p1n5/8/Q3N3/1P1RPP1P/b2K2B1/R7 b - - 1 23

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