Chess Puzzle #X1M6T — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2624 · Master · advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks b1/d1; knights d3/e5; pawns a4/b5/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen f5; rooks d8/h8; bishop f4; knight b8; pawns a6/b7/c7/e6/f7/g3. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook d1→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh2 — rook h8→h2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nxf4 (knight d3→f4, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxf4 — queen f5→f4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxf4 (rook f1→f4, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rdh8 — rook d8→h8.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxh2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1nkr3r/1pp2p2/p3p3/1P2Nq2/P2P1b2/2PN2p1/4Q1PP/1R1R2K1 w - - 0 25

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