Chess Puzzle #6rFZX — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks a1/e1; bishops d2/f7; pawns a4/b2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen d7; rooks a8/h8; bishop b8; knights c6/e7; pawns b7/d4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe5 — knight c6→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxe5 (bishop b8→e5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe5 — queen b5→e5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rb1k3r/1p1qnBp1/2n4p/1Q2P3/P2p4/8/1P1B1PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 18

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