Chess Puzzle #5FJht — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rook e7; pawns a2/b4/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen d5; rook d8; pawns a6/b5/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g7→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd5 — queen d2→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/4R1kp/p4pp1/1p1q4/1P6/7P/P2Q2P1/7K b - - 1 35

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