Chess Puzzle #3VcsX — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f7; rooks d1/h1; pawns a3/b2/c2/e5/g4/g5. Black: king b8; queen b6; rooks d4/d8; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg7 — queen f7→g7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d4→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook h1→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qe3+ — queen b6→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
4. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long, queenside attack. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/pp3Qpp/1qp5/4P1P1/3r2P1/P7/1PP5/2KR3R w - - 3 24

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