Chess Puzzle #CPfNH — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rooks a1/e1; pawns a2/b2/d3/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen f6; rooks c2/e7; bishop f5; pawns a6/b7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook c2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe7+ — rook e1→e7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king f7→f8).
3. Best move: Qa3 — queen b4→a3. Opponent replies Qxe7 (queen f6→e7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxb2 — queen a3→b2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p2rk2/p4qpp/3P1b2/1Q6/3P4/PPr2PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 1 20

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