Chess Puzzle #AeE68 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rook e1; knight f4; pawns b2/e6/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook c8; bishop b3; pawns a4/b6/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd7 — queen e7→d7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exd7 — pawn e6→d7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook c8→d8).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook e8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long. The key move exd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/3Qq1pp/1p2P3/5p2/p4N2/1b3P2/1P4PP/4R1K1 b - - 4 37

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