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

Position

White: king c1; queen h5; rooks e1/h1; bishop f4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g4/g5. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks a8/f8; bishop f5; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be4 — bishop f5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e1→e4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxe4 (queen d5→e4, captures rook).
3. Best move: g6 — pawn g5→g6. Opponent replies Qxh1+ (queen e4→h1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxh1 — queen h5→h1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/ppp3p1/2n5/3q1bPQ/5BP1/8/PPP2P2/2K1R2R b - - 0 20

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