Chess Puzzle #4ikeq — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rooks e1/f1; knights c3/g3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d7; rooks e3/e8; knight f5; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/f6/g6/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nce4 — knight c3→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: R8xe4 — rook e8→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Nxe4 (knight g3→e4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxh3 — rook e3→h3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move R8xe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/1ppq4/p2p1pp1/3P1n1p/8/2N1r1NQ/PPP3PP/4RRK1 w - - 4 21

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