Chess Puzzle #QdF2g — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen c3; rooks d2/h1; knight c4; pawns a4/c2/e4/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook b4; knight f4; pawns a5/c6/c7/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhd1 — rook h1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4 — rook b4→c4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rd8+ (rook d2→d8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Opponent replies Qb3 (queen c3→b3).
4. Best move: Rxa4+ — rook c4→a4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king a2→b2).
5. Best move: Rb4 — rook a4→b4.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, master, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Rxa4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2p3pp/2p1q3/p3p3/PrN1Pn2/2Q2P2/K1PR3P/7R w - - 1 24

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