Chess Puzzle #98TDl — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook e1; bishop d6; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g7; rook a8; bishop f5; knight d7; pawns a5/b7/c5/f7/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8 — rook a8→e8, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe8+ (rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh7 — king g8→h7.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p1n1pq1/3B3p/p1pP1bp1/2P5/1P3N1P/P3QP2/4R1K1 w - - 1 24

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