Chess Puzzle #DcEfo — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks e1/f1; knight f7; pawns a3/b2/c4/d3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen g6; rooks c8/h8; bishops b7/e7; pawns a6/b6/c5/h6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook h8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe7+ — rook e1→e7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe7 (king e8→e7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qh4+ — queen f2→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king e7→e6).
4. Best move: Re1+ — rook f1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Be4 (bishop b7→e4).
5. Best move: Rxe4+ — rook e1→e4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, exposed king, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k2r/1b2bN1p/pp4qp/2p5/2P5/P2P4/1P3QPP/4RRK1 b k - 0 22

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