Chess Puzzle #9QH8t — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights c3/f4; pawns a2/b2/e6/f2/g3. Black: king c8; queen c7; rooks d8/h8; bishops c5/g2; knight e5; pawns a6/b5/d7/f6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd7+ — pawn e6→d7, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d8→d7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxg2 (king g1→g2, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rdh7 — rook d7→h7. Opponent replies Rg1 (rook f1→g1).
4. Best move: Rh2+ — rook h7→h2, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, quiet move, sacrifice. The key move Rxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/2qp4/p3Pp2/1pb1n3/5N2/2N3P1/PP2QPb1/R1B2RK1 w - - 0 19

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