Chess Puzzle #1Xypy — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen h4; rooks d2/f1; bishops d4/e2; knight g5; pawns a2/c5/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b4; rook d8; bishops f5/g7; knight f6; pawns a3/c6/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd3 — bishop e2→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen h4→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen b4→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/4ppbp/2p2np1/2P1PbN1/1q1B3Q/p7/P2RB1PP/2K2R2 w - - 1 27

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