Chess Puzzle #1RECg — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rooks c4/g4; pawns b2/b3/f2/f3. Black: king f5; rooks d6/d8; pawns a7/b6/d4/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rcxd4 — rook c4→d4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4+ — rook d6→d4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd4 (rook g4→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd4+ — rook d8→d4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king d3→d4, captures rook).
4. Best move: Kf4 — king f5→f4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, master, rook endgame. The key move Rxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p7/1p1r4/5kp1/2Rp2R1/1P1K1P2/1P3P2/8 w - - 2 37

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