Chess Puzzle #bcs2o — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks e1/e3; bishop d3; knight c6; pawns a2/c2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks b8/e8; bishop c8; knight f3; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf3 — rook e3→f3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Be6 — bishop c8→e6.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rb1r1k1/pp3pp1/2N5/6q1/7p/1QPBRn1P/P1P2PP1/4R1K1 w - - 1 23

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