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

Position

White: king f1; queen c7; rook d1; bishop c4; knights a8/d2; pawns a2/b4/c3/g3/h2. Black: king e7; queen e3; rook h8; bishop c8; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/d7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king e7→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re1 — rook d1→e1. Opponent replies Qxe1+ (queen e3→e1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxe1 — king f1→e1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Re1.

Position data

FEN: N1b4r/ppQpkppp/2n2n2/8/1PB5/2P1q1P1/P2N3P/3R1K2 b - - 1 18

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