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

Position

White: king b1; queen e8; rook e1; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2. Black: king c7; queen g5; rook h3; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d4/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re7+ — rook e1→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c7→b6).
3. Best move: Qd8+ — queen e8→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king b6→c5).
4. Best move: Qa5+ — queen d8→a5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Re7+.

Position data

FEN: 4Q3/ppk3p1/2p3p1/6q1/3p1n2/1B5r/PPP2P2/1K2R3 b - - 3 26

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