Chess Puzzle #QzDJq — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen d4; rook e7; knight g5; pawns c5/f3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen b3; rooks a8/f8; pawns a7/c6/d5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7 — knight g5→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e7→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p3Rp1p/2p3p1/2Pp2N1/3Q3P/1q3P2/5KP1/8 b - - 0 22

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