Chess Puzzle #5AntB — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook e7; knight e6; pawns a2/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; rook d5; knight b4; pawns a7/b5/c6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook d5→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c8→b7).
3. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b7→c7).
4. Best move: Nxd7 — knight c5→d7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/p3R1pp/2p1N3/1p1r4/1n6/6P1/P1P2P1P/6K1 b - - 2 26

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