Chess Puzzle #EfVVC — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d3; rooks a1/e1; bishops c2/g3; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/c3/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks a8/e8; bishop c5; knight h5; pawns a7/b7/d5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rad1 — rook a1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe2+ — rook e8→e2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe2 (rook e1→e2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nf4+ — knight h5→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g2→h1).
4. Best move: Nxd3 — knight f4→d3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp3p1p/6p1/2bp2qn/8/2PQ1PB1/PPB1N1KP/R3R3 w - - 2 20

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