Chess Puzzle #GgSh2 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; rooks a7/b1; bishop d2; pawns c3/d4/f2/g5/h4. Black: king f7; queen c4; bishop d6; pawns b5/c6/d5/g6/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke6 — king f7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook b1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king e6→f5).
3. Best move: f3 — pawn f2→f3. Opponent replies Qa4+ (queen c4→a4, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxa4 — rook a7→a4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Re1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/R4kp1/2pb2p1/1p1p2Pp/2qP3P/2P5/3B1P2/KR6 b - - 5 31

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