Chess Puzzle #01Xx0 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; knight c4; pawns b5/c3/d4/e3/g2/h2. Black: king b8; rooks a7/h8; bishop g5; pawns e6/f5/g4/h3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a7→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
3. Best move: Rh1 — rook a1→h1. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen e2→e1).
4. Best move: Rxe1 — rook h1→e1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Ra1+.

Position data

FEN: 1k5r/r7/4p3/1P3pb1/2NP2p1/2P1P2p/4Q1PP/6K1 w - - 0 28

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