Chess Puzzle #FOOGA — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; rooks a1/h1; bishop d5; knight b5; pawns a2/b3/c4/h3. Black: king h8; rook e5; bishop h6; knights d3/d6; pawns a7/c7/e7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc7 — knight b5→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re3+ — rook e5→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king f3→g2).
3. Best move: Re2+ — rook e3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g2→f1).
4. Best move: Rf2+ — rook e2→f2, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move is Re3+.

Position data

FEN: 7k/p1p1p2p/3n2pb/1N1Br3/2P5/1P1n1K1P/P7/R6R w - - 1 23

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