Chess Puzzle #4JF0q — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen d8; rook e7; pawns a2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a6/b7/e6/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf8 — queen f6→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8 — rook e7→e8. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen f8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen d8→e8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, short. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bQ2k1/1p2R1p1/p3pq1p/5p2/5P2/6PK/P6P/8 b - - 0 30

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