Chess Puzzle #befA5 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a8; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b3/c2/d4/e3/g3/h2. Black: king d7; queen h5; rook h8; bishops c8/f4; pawns a7/c7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf4 — pawn e3→f4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ba6 — bishop c8→a6. Opponent replies Qg2 (queen a8→g2).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook h8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Be3 (bishop c1→e3).
4. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e8→e3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e1→d2).
5. Best move: Re2+ — rook e3→e2, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: Q1b4r/p1pk2pp/5p2/7q/3P1b2/1P2P1P1/P1P4P/R1B1K2R w KQ - 0 23

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