Chess Puzzle #MNZ3d — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b3; rook d5; bishop g2; knight e3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen c5; rooks d8/h8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b6/c7/e4/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be6 — bishop d7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d5→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook h8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen b3→e6, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, equality, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/p1pb3p/1p4p1/2qR1p2/4p3/1Q2N1P1/PPP2PBP/2K5 b - - 3 26

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