Chess Puzzle #16aPO — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook c4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/f3/g3/h2. Black: king b8; rook d2; knight c2; pawns a7/c7/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight c3→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h1→g2).
3. Best move: Ne3+ — knight c2→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g2→f2).
4. Best move: Nxc4 — knight e3→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long, master. The key move is Rd1+.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/p1p3pp/5p2/8/2R5/2N2PP1/PPnr3P/7K w - - 1 26

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