hikaru vs Ykow2

White answered 22.fxe3, the pawn from f2 marched to e3 and captured the black rook that was sitting on e3. The capture immediately eliminated the rook’s direct attack on the white queen on d3 and removed a key attacker that also protected the black queen’s pressure on f2. After the capture the pawn on e3 became a target, but the material balance was restored when Black replied 22...Rxe3, recapturing with the rook from e8. The only piece left undefended for White is the a2 pawn, while Black still threatens the queen on d3, the knight on g3, and the pawn on f2 (now empty).

The engine marks fxe3 as the best move because it neutralises the most urgent tactical threat – the rook on e3 was attacking the queen. If White had moved the queen or ignored the rook, Black would have played ...Rxe3 winning the queen outright. By capturing the rook, White trades a pawn for a rook, keeping the queen safe. The follow‑up ...Rxe3 simply restores material equality; any other move would have lost the queen or allowed a much stronger attack. Thus fxe3 is the only line that preserves the queen and avoids a decisive material loss.

Eliminate the Immediate Threat: When an opponent’s piece directly attacks a high‑value piece (especially the queen), capture the attacker if possible, even if it means giving up a pawn. Removing the attacker first prevents larger tactical blows and keeps the position defensible.