Chess Puzzle #OzCf1 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h6; rook f2; bishop e2; knight f5; pawns a4/b3/c4/d5/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks e4/f8; bishop g6; knight d7; pawns a5/b6/c5/d6/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e4→e2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe2 — rook f2→e2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qa1+ (queen e5→a1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/3n1p2/1p1p2bQ/p1pPqN2/P1P1r1P1/1P5P/4BR2/7K b - - 0 41

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