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

Position

White: king d2; queen d3; rook h1; bishop e3; knight c3; pawns f2/f6/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen b2; rook a8; pawns e6/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen d3→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook a8→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd4 (bishop e3→d4).
3. Best move: Rxd4+ — rook d8→d4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d2→e3).
4. Best move: Qxc2 — queen b2→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/5p1k/4pPp1/7p/8/2NQB3/1q1K1PPP/7R w - - 4 29

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