Chess Puzzle #U5Dfx — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e2; rooks d3/e1; bishop c1; pawns a3/b2/f5/g5. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks a4/b8; bishop d4; pawns a7/c5/c7/d6/f7/h5/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa3 — rook a4→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa3 — rook d3→a3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa3 (queen a6→a3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook b8→e8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1p2p1p/q2p4/2p2PPp/r2b4/P2R4/1P2Q3/1KB1R3 b - - 0 27

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