Chess Puzzle #2Hmtt — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks e1/e8; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks d8/f7; knight d4; pawns a6/b7/c7/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook d8→e8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook e8→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen f2→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rR1k1/1pp2rpp/p4p2/5q2/3n4/2N4P/PP3QP1/4R1K1 b - - 1 26

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