Chess Puzzle #137Io — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c5; rook e2; pawns a2/b3/g3/h4. Black: king a7; queen f5; rook e8; bishop e4; pawns a6/b7/g4/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka8 — king a7→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf5 — queen c5→f5, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxf5 (bishop e4→f5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e2→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/kp6/p7/2Q2q1p/4b1pP/1P4P1/P3R2K/8 b - - 3 40

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