Chess Puzzle #D8vC1 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; rooks e3/g4; bishop f1; pawns a3/b4/c4/h2/h3. Black: king f7; rooks e8/f4; knight c5; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight c5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e3→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxe4+ (rook f4→e4, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxe4 — rook g4→e4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short, X-ray attack. The key move Rxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pp3kpp/2p5/2n1p3/1PP2rR1/P3R2P/7P/4KB2 b - - 0 23

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