Chess Puzzle #MLBb4 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen b3; rooks d1/e1; bishop d2; pawns b2/c2/d3/f4/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks c6/d4; bishop g7; pawns a3/a7/c5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen b3→a3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra4 — rook d4→a4. Opponent replies Re8+ (rook e1→e8, gives check).
3. Best move: Bf8 — bishop g7→f8. Opponent replies Qxa4 (queen a3→a4, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxa4 — queen a6→a4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Ra4.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4pbp/q1r3p1/2p5/3r1PP1/pQ1P3P/1PPB4/1K1RR3 w - - 0 24

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