Chess Puzzle #7WrZO — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks d2/e1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e8; rooks d8/e7; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe5 — knight d7→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd2 (rook d8→d2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe7 — rook e5→e7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rd1+ (rook d2→d1, gives check).
4. Best move: Re1 — rook e7→e1.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3rq1k1/pppnrp1p/6p1/4P3/8/2Q2N2/PP1R1PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 20

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