Chess Puzzle #2Ao3X — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks e1/e2; bishop g3; knight c4; pawns a4/b2/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks d8/e8; bishop a7; knight d5; pawns a5/b7/c6/f6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen b6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e2→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/bp6/1qp2p1p/p2n2p1/P1N3P1/5QBP/1P2RP2/4R1K1 b - - 1 25

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