Chess Puzzle #4YrXB — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f3; rook h1; knight d2; pawns c2/f2/g5/h5. Black: king h8; queen e5; rook e8; pawns a3/b2/c6/d4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb3 — knight d2→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Opponent replies Qxd3 (queen f3→d3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: a2+ — pawn a3→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa2 (king b1→a2, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Ra8+ — rook e8→a8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, attraction, crushing, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move is d3.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/6pp/2p5/4q1PP/3p4/p4Q2/1pPN1P2/1K5R w - - 0 34

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