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

Position

White: king e1; queen b4; rooks a1/f1; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c4/h2. Black: king c8; queen d3; rooks d4/e8; knight f6; pawns b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook a1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe2+ — rook e8→e2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe2 (knight c3→e2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d3→d1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/1pp2ppp/5n2/8/1QPr4/2Nq4/PP2B2P/R3KR2 w Q - 2 18

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