Chess Puzzle #e2MOD — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen e3; rooks b3/c5; pawns e5/g3/h2. Black: king a6; rooks b8/f1; bishop d7; knights c6/e7; pawns d5/e6/f5/g4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook f1→a1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe2+ — queen e3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a6→a7).
3. Best move: Rxb8 — rook b3→b8, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxb8 (knight c6→b8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qb2 — queen e2→b2.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Qe2+.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/3bn3/k1n1p3/2RpPp2/6p1/1R2Q1P1/6KP/5r2 b - - 1 49

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