Chess Puzzle #18chW — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rook e1; bishop d2; pawns a5/b2/d6/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook d8; knight g6; pawns a6/b7/c5/f4/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd6 — queen d7→d6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd6 — queen d3→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, master, short. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1p1q1p1p/p2P1pn1/P1p5/5p2/3Q3P/1P1B2P1/4R2K b - - 0 24

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