Chess Puzzle #37ku8 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen d4; rooks f7/h7; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3. Black: king c8; queen g5; rook e8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/c7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc2 — king d2→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re2+ — rook e8→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb3 (king c2→b3).
3. Best move: Qb5+ — queen g5→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Qb4 (queen d4→b4).
4. Best move: Bxb4 — bishop d6→b4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Re2+.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/ppp2R1R/3b4/6q1/3Q4/2PP4/PP1K4/8 w - - 5 35

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