Chess Puzzle #2ShX0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen g3; knight h3; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2. Black: king f8; rooks d1/f1; pawns a4/b5/e6/f7/h6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b2→b4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook d1→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king a2→b2).
3. Best move: Rfb1+ — rook f1→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king b2→c3).
4. Best move: Rxa3+ — rook a1→a3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Rxa3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5p1p/4p2p/1p6/p7/P5QN/KPP2P2/3r1r2 w - - 5 35

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