Chess Puzzle #r51By — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook c7; bishops d6/g2; knight b6; pawns a3/b3/d5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king h7; queen e8; rook e2; bishop b7; knights f6/g6; pawns a6/b5/d7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook c7→b7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qe2 — queen e8→e2.

Tactical themes

clearance, equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Re1+.

Position data

FEN: 4q3/1bRp1ppk/pN1B1nnp/1p1P4/3Q3P/PP4P1/4rPB1/6K1 w - - 3 25

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