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

Position

White: king c2; queen b3; rook c7; bishop e3; knight d2; pawns d4/e5/f4/g3. Black: king g7; queen e8; rook h1; bishops b5/e7; pawns a7/b6/e6/f5/g4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ba4 — bishop b5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe7+ — rook c7→e7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe7 (queen e8→e7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxa4 — queen b3→a4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

deflection, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4q3/p1R1b1k1/1p2p3/1b2Pp2/3P1Pp1/1Q2B1P1/2KN4/7r b - - 3 40

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