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

Position

White: king h2; rooks e1/h6; bishop f6; pawns a3/b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen d7; rook d8; pawns a7/b6/c5/f4/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook d8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen d7→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rh8 — rook h6→h8. Opponent replies Qxh8 (queen e8→h8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxh8 — bishop f6→h8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/p2q4/1p3B1R/2p3p1/5p2/P1P4P/1P3PPK/4R3 b - - 1 26

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