Chess Puzzle #VvpI0 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e1; rooks a1/f4; bishop b3; knight f3; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks d8/e8; bishop f5; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook f4→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd4 (rook d8→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rb1 — rook a1→b1. Opponent replies Qxb1 (queen b2→b1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxb1 — queen e1→b1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/pp3pp1/2n1p2p/5b2/5R2/1B3N2/PqP2PPP/R3Q1K1 b - - 1 26

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