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

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks a1/c1; knight a5; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; knight d5; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook c1→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa5 — rook a8→a5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxb6 (rook c6→b6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxa4 — rook a5→a4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxa4 (rook a1→a4, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nxb6 — knight d5→b6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxa5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/5ppp/1q2p3/N2n4/Q2P4/4P2P/5PP1/R1R3K1 w - - 3 25

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