Chess Puzzle #8GCSP — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rooks a5/h1; bishop d4; pawns a2/b2/b3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king c6; rooks f5/h8; bishop b4; pawns e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook a5→e5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe5+ — rook f5→e5, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe5 (bishop d4→e5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Re8 — rook h8→e8.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, pin, short. The key move Rxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7r/5pp1/2k4p/R3pr2/1b1B4/1P3P2/PP2K1PP/7R w - - 1 26

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