Chess Puzzle #10Qqk — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; rooks d4/e1; bishop g2; knight d6; pawns b3/c4/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king e7; rooks a8/d8; bishop c8; knight b4; pawns b6/c6/d7/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook e1→a1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa1 — rook a8→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxa1 (king b2→a1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nc2+ — knight b4→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king a1→b2).
4. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c2→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Rxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1br4/3pk2p/1ppN2p1/4Pp2/1nPR1P2/1P4P1/1K4BP/4R3 w - - 3 31

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