Chess Puzzle #40tUC — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rook e7; knight c8; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/h4. Black: king g8; rook d6; bishop g7; knight e6; pawns a6/b5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook d6→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c8→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e7→c6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: 2N3k1/4Rpbp/p2rn1p1/1p6/7P/8/PPP2P2/2K5 b - - 7 27

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