Chess Puzzle #XitK9 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks b1/e7; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen a5; rook a8; bishop f6; knight d7; pawns a6/d6/f7/g5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight d7→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e7→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxe5 (bishop f6→e5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxa8 — queen c6→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r7/3nRp1k/p1Qp1bp1/q5p1/8/7P/P1P2PP1/1R4K1 b - - 0 30

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