Chess Puzzle #18tcr — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d4; rook e1; bishop g3; pawns a4/b2/d6/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c2; rook d7; bishop c6; pawns a5/b7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa4 — queen c2→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qd3+ — queen d4→d3, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p1r1pp1/2bP3p/p7/P2Q4/6BP/1Pq2PPK/4R3 b - - 6 27

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