Chess Puzzle #4Kr4N — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook c1; bishops c3/g2; pawns b4/f3/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook a2; bishop d5; knight f7; pawns c4/e5/g7/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook c1→a1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa1+ — rook a2→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxa1 (bishop c3→a1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qb1+ — queen f5→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop g2→f1).
4. Best move: Qxa1 — queen b1→a1, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, fork, long, master, middlegame. The key move Rxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5np1/8/3bpq1p/1Pp4P/2B1QPP1/r5B1/2R3K1 w - - 6 36

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