Chess Puzzle #4JH1Q — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rooks g4/h7; bishop c4; pawns a4/b2/c3/f2/h2. Black: king b8; rooks f5/f8; bishop c6; pawns a6/b7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f2→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxf4+ — rook f5→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf4 (rook g4→f4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf4+ — rook f8→f4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
4. Best move: Rxc4 — rook f4→c4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Rxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/1p5R/p1b5/5r2/P1B3R1/2P5/1P3P1P/5K2 w - - 3 30

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