Chess Puzzle #1sHIO — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook e2; bishop b3; knight f5; pawns a2/b4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rook d8; bishops b7/f6; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook d8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e2→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe8 (king f8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nd6+ — knight f5→d6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/1b3pp1/p4b1p/1p3N2/1P6/1B3P2/P3R1PP/6K1 b - - 6 27

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