Chess Puzzle #m6ahT — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rook e1; bishops a2/d6; knight f3; pawns c2/d2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a7/f8; bishop c8; knights a5/e7; pawns a6/b5/d7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf6 — queen a1→f6. Opponent replies Nf5 (knight e7→f5).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen d8→e8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Be5 — bishop d6→e5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2bq1rk1/r2pnp1p/p2B2p1/np1P4/8/5N2/B1PP1PPP/Q3R1K1 b - - 3 17

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