Chess Puzzle #7Teua — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/e1; bishops b3/f4; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/d5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks a8/d8; bishops b7/e7; knights a5/g4; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe7 — rook e1→e7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxb3 (knight a5→b3, captures bishop).
3. Best move: axb3 — pawn a2→b3, captures knight. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d5→d4).
4. Best move: Ne4 — knight c3→e4.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/1b2bppp/p1q1p3/np1P4/5Bn1/1BN2NP1/PP1Q1P1P/R3R1K1 b - - 0 19

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