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

Position

White: king h1; queen c6; rooks a1/g1; pawns a2/c2/c4/d3/h2. Black: king h7; queen f5; rooks b8/f7; pawns a7/e5/g4/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Raf1 — rook a1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1 — queen f5→f1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook g1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f7→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h1→g2).
4. Best move: Rbf8 — rook b8→f8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pin. The key move Rxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/p4r1k/2Q5/4pq2/2P3pp/3P4/P1P4P/R5RK w - - 0 31

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