Chess Puzzle #CUE5d — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook e1; knight d7; pawns b4/c5/g2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks a8/f8; pawns b6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfe8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e4→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Nf8+ — knight d7→f8, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/3N1pp1/1p5p/2P3q1/1P2Q3/6P1/6PP/4R1K1 b - - 0 31

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