Chess Puzzle #23IBt — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks e7/e8; knight a7; pawns b2/c2/c3/h3. Black: king d5; queen a2; pawns b6/c5/d6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re4 — rook e7→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa7 — queen a2→a7, captures knight. Opponent replies c4+ (pawn c3→c4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kc6 — king d5→c6. Opponent replies Rc8+ (rook e8→c8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kd7 — king c6→d7.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxa7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/N3R2p/1p1p4/2pk4/8/2P4P/qPP4K/8 w - - 1 29

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