Chess Puzzle #Z36VN — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen f3; rook e1; bishop e5; pawns a4/c2/c3/d4/f2/g5. Black: king g8; queen f7; rook f8; knight a5; pawns a7/b6/c7/d5/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight a5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bf6 — bishop e5→f6. Opponent replies Nb2+ (knight c4→b2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd2 — king d3→d2. Opponent replies Re8 (rook f8→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p1p2q1p/1p4p1/n2pBpP1/P2P4/2PK1Q2/2P2P2/4R3 b - - 3 27

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