Chess Puzzle #0aPxO — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rooks e1/e7; pawns a2/b2/c3/f4/g6/h2. Black: king g8; rook d8; bishop c8; knight e5; pawns a7/b6/c5/d5/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxg6 — knight e5→g6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rxc8 — rook e8→c8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2br2k1/p3R1p1/1p3pPp/2ppn3/5P2/2P3K1/PP5P/4R3 b - - 0 29

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