Chess Puzzle #35kbz — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f3; rooks e1/e8; pawns a2/b2/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks d5/d8; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 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 Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qxd5 — queen f3→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3rR1k1/p4pp1/1p3q1p/2pr4/8/5QPP/PP3P1K/4R3 b - - 7 41

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