Chess Puzzle #38w0E — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks a1/e1; bishop c4; pawns a3/c2/c3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen f6; rooks a8/e8; bishop d5; pawns a7/b6/c7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8 — rook a8→e8, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxd5 (bishop c4→d5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc3 — queen f6→c3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3rk2/p1p2pp1/1p3q1p/3b4/2B5/P1P2PQ1/2P3PP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 23

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