Chess Puzzle #a89f7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; rook e5; bishop e4; pawns c2/g6/h3. Black: king f8; rook d8; knight b4; pawns a6/b5/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook d8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e5→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe8 (king f8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: c3 — pawn c2→c3.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/6p1/p5P1/1p2R2p/1n2B3/7P/1KP5/8 b - - 2 34

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