Chess Puzzle #9XFJ7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d5; rook f1; bishop c4; pawns b2/c2/c3. Black: king h7; queen h4; rook e8; bishops b6/g4; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f5/h6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ka2 — king b1→a2. Opponent replies Qg5 (queen h4→g5).
3. Best move: Rxe1 — rook f1→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is Ka2.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/ppp4k/1b1p3p/3Q1p2/2B3bq/2P5/1PP5/1K3R2 b - - 1 36

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