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

Position

White: king h1; queen f6; rooks d6/e1; knight c5; pawns a2/b4/c2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c7; rooks a8/e8; bishop d7; knights b8/e7; pawns a7/c6/h5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd5 — knight e7→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe8 (bishop d7→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qe6+ — queen f6→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop e8→d7).
4. Best move: Nxd7 — knight c5→d7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rnk1r3/p1qbn3/2pR1Q2/2N4p/1P6/8/P1P3PP/4R2K b - - 2 29

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