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

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/f5; pawns a6/b5/c7/e4/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd3 — queen d8→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd3 — queen c2→d3, captures queen. Opponent replies exd3 (pawn e4→d3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe5+ — rook e1→e5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/2p2ppp/p7/1pb1pb2/4p3/2P2P2/PPQP2PP/RNB1R2K b kq - 2 14

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