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

Position

White: king d4; rook g8; pawns c3/e5/f2/f6/g3. Black: king h6; rook a3; pawns a5/c7/d5/e6/f7/g4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook g8→g4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra4+ — rook a3→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d4→e3).
3. Best move: Rxg4 — rook a4→g4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Ra4+.

Position data

FEN: 6R1/2p2p2/4pP1k/p2pP3/3K2p1/r1P3P1/5P2/8 w - - 2 42

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