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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/e1; bishops b2/d5; knight b3; pawns a3/b4/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks b8/f8; bishops f6/g4; knight d4; pawns a7/b6/c5/d6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe2 — rook e1→e2, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxe2 (bishop g4→e2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe2 — queen d3→e2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bxb2 (bishop f6→b2, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxb2 — queen e2→b2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r1q1rk1/p4pp1/1p1p1b1p/2pB4/1P1nP1b1/PN1Q4/1B3PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 4 19

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