Chess Puzzle #50zS0 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks e8/f8; bishop b4; pawns a6/a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe8 — queen e4→e8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8 — rook f8→e8, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe8+ (rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxe8 — queen d7→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/p1pq1ppp/p7/3N4/1b1PQ3/8/PPP3PP/R1B1R1K1 w - - 5 18

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