Chess Puzzle #IvPUs — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f1; queen d6; rook b1; pawns e5/f2. Black: king b6; queen f3; rook h8; knight b5; pawns a6/d5/f5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka5 — king b6→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook b1→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Na3 (knight b5→a3).
3. Best move: Rxa3+ — rook a1→a3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qxa3 (queen f3→a3, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxa3+ — queen d6→a3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxa3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7r/8/pk1Q4/1n1pPp2/8/5q2/5P2/1R3K2 b - - 0 36

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