Chess Puzzle #PEcoO — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e3; rooks d1/f1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen f5; rooks e8/f8; pawns a6/c6/c7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa7 — queen e3→a7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re2 — rook e8→e2. Opponent replies Rd2 (rook d1→d2).
3. Best move: Rxd2 — rook e2→d2, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxd2 (king c1→d2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qb5 — queen f5→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Re2.

Position data

FEN: 4rr1k/2p3p1/p1p4p/5q2/8/2P1Q2P/PP3PP1/2KR1R2 w - - 2 21

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