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

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rook e1; knight f7; pawns c3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook c8; bishop d4; pawns a4/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop d4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Rxc8 — rook e8→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxg4 (queen c4→g4, captures queen).
4. Best move: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5N1p/6p1/8/p1qb2Q1/2P4P/6P1/4R2K b - - 0 37

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