Chess Puzzle #IJZ5d — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; rook c2; bishops d3/e5; pawns b3/c5/d4/f2/f4/h6. Black: king g8; rook a8; bishop e7; knight d5; pawns a2/c6/e6/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook c2→a2, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa2+ — rook a8→a2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa2 (king a1→a2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nb4+ — knight d5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka3 (king a2→a3).
4. Best move: Nxd3 — knight b4→d3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Rxa2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/4b2p/2p1p1pP/2PnBp2/3P1P2/1P1B4/p1R2P2/K7 w - - 0 31

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