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

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks e1/e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen c6; rooks d7/d8; bishop c5; pawns b5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook d8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c8→b7).
3. Best move: Rxf8 — rook e8→f8, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxf8 (bishop c5→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxf8 — queen f3→f8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/3r3p/2q3p1/1pb5/4R3/5Q1P/PPP2PP1/4R1K1 b - - 0 26

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