Chess Puzzle #3tTQc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rook e1; pawns a3/b2/c7/d6. Black: king f7; rook h8; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/f5/f6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight d7→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f6→e5, captures rook).
3. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
4. Best move: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, promotion, sacrifice. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 7r/p1Pn1k2/1p1P1p2/5p2/8/P7/1P6/1K2R3 b - - 2 44

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