Chess Puzzle #DtZ25 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c4; rooks f4/h7; knight e4; pawns b3/e6/f3/f6. Black: king e8; queen e2; rook a2; pawns a7/c6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc5 — king c4→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe3+ — queen e2→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c5→d6).
3. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen e3→f4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc6 (king d6→c6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Ra6+ — rook a2→a6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/p6R/2p1PP2/8/2K1NR2/1P3P2/r3q3/8 w - - 2 48

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