Chess Puzzle #8GdF8 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b1; rooks a1/b3; knights e2/g3; pawns a5/c3/d5/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks a8/b7; bishop g7; knight b6; pawns c5/d6/e7/f7/g6/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb6 — rook b3→b6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb6 — rook b7→b6, captures rook. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a5→b6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxa1 — queen a6→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa1 (queen b1→a1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxa1+ — rook a8→a1, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1r2ppb1/qn1p2p1/P1pP4/4P2p/1RP3NP/4NPP1/RQ4K1 w - - 0 25

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