Chess Puzzle #4fE3A — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; rook a1; bishop d5; pawns b5/c4/e3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; rook e8; bishop c5; pawns a2/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook a1→a2, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e8→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king f3→f2).
3. Best move: Ra3+ — rook e3→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f2→e2).
4. Best move: Rxa2+ — rook a3→a2, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, discovered check, endgame, long. The key move Rxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/7p/6p1/1PbB1p2/2P2P2/4PK1P/p5P1/R7 w - - 4 36

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