Chess Puzzle #3NzLk — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f8; rook a1; knight d6; pawns d4/e5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king c6; queen b4; rook b8; knight d8; pawns a4/c4/d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa4 — rook a1→a4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxa4 (queen b4→a4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen f8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c6→b6).
4. Best move: Qxa4 — queen e8→a4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, sacrifice, skewer. The key move Rxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r1n1Q2/5p1p/2kNp1p1/3pP3/pqpP2P1/7P/5PK1/R7 b - - 1 38

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