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

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rook e1; pawns a2/f3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c7; rook c8; pawns a7/f4/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen c7→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc3 — queen d3→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/p1q3p1/7p/8/5p2/3Q1P1P/P5P1/4R2K b - - 1 38

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