Chess Puzzle #ApBYe — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a7/h4; bishop f2; pawns b6/c5/d3/f3/g3. Black: king d7; queen g5; rooks b8/h8; bishop d5; pawns b7/c6/d4/f6/g4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh8 — rook h4→h8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh8 — rook b8→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb7+ (rook a7→b7, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke6 — king d7→e6. Opponent replies Qe1+ (queen d1→e1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf5 — king e6→f5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move Rxh8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r5r/Rp1k4/1Pp2p2/2Pb2q1/3p2pR/3P1PP1/5B2/3Q2K1 w - - 0 36

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