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

Position

White: king e2; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishop b2; knight f3; pawns a3/b4/e3/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen e6; rooks d5/d8; bishop e7; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhd1 — rook h1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd2+ — rook d5→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd2 (knight f3→d2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd2+ — rook d8→d2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd2 (rook d1→d2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen e6→c4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, collinear, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxd2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/ppp1bppp/4q1n1/3rP3/1PQ5/P3PN2/1B2KPPP/R6R w - - 5 17

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