Chess Puzzle #1OHev — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks c5/e1; bishop f3; pawns a2/b2/d3/f2/f4/h2. Black: king f8; rooks e8/g8; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/f7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf3 — knight d4→f3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe8 (king f8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
4. Best move: Rxg8 — rook c8→g8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, long, skewer. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rkr1/pp3p2/8/2R5/3n1P2/3P1B2/PP3P1P/4R2K b - - 0 30

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