Chess Puzzle #3b7lS — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen b5; rooks c1/d6; pawns c2/c3/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king b8; queen f3; rook c8; knight c4; pawns b7/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra6 — rook d6→a6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc6 — rook c8→c6. Opponent replies Rxc6 (rook a6→c6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Na3+ — knight c4→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king b1→b2).
4. Best move: Nxb5 — knight a3→b5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move is Rc6.

Position data

FEN: 1kr5/1p5p/3R2p1/1Q2Pp2/2n2P2/2P2qP1/2P4P/1KR5 w - - 1 36

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