Chess Puzzle #4aCt1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f6; rooks e1/e2; pawns a2/b3/c5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c8; rooks a8/e8; bishop g6; pawns a5/d5/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe6 — rook e2→e6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxe6 (queen c8→e6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe6 — rook e1→e6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe6 (rook e8→e6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe6 — queen f6→e6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1q1r1k1/8/4pQbp/p1Pp4/8/1P4P1/P3RP1P/4R1K1 b - - 0 27

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