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

Position

White: king b3; queen d3; rooks f4/f6; pawns a2/c2/h4. Black: king h6; queen g2; rook c8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/d4/e6/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc3+ — rook c8→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen d3→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qd5+ — queen g2→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Qc4 (queen c3→c4).
4. Best move: Ba4+ — bishop d7→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb4 (king b3→b4).
5. Best move: a5+ — pawn a7→a5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, fork, pin, sacrifice, very long. The key move is Rc3+.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/pp1b4/4pRpk/8/3p1R1P/1K1Q4/P1P3q1/8 w - - 2 29

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