Chess Puzzle #4XBsm — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook f3; bishop c3; knight f5; pawns a3/b2/d4/g2/h3. Black: king g6; rook c2; bishop c4; pawns b3/b7/d5/f6/g5/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne3 — knight f5→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c2→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: b2 — pawn b3→b2. Opponent replies Nxc4 (knight e3→c4, captures bishop).
4. Best move: b1=Q — pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, master, promotion, sacrifice. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p5p/5pk1/3p1Np1/2bP4/PpB2R1P/1Pr3PK/8 w - - 3 38

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