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

Position

White: king d2; queen d3; rooks a1/g1; pawns a2/b3/d4/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks c8/d8; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rac1 — rook a1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen h4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Qe2 (queen d3→e2).
3. Best move: Rxd4+ — rook d8→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e3→d4, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen f2→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qd3 (queen e2→d3).
5. Best move: Qf2+ — queen d4→f2, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, sacrifice, very long, X-ray attack. The key move Rxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/p4ppp/8/8/3P3q/1P1QP2P/P2K2P1/R5R1 w - - 3 24

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