Chess Puzzle #Z2pxC — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b8; rook f1; bishops c5/e2; pawns b2/c3/d4/h2. Black: king a4; queen b5; rook a2; bishop d7; knight c4; pawns b3/b7/d5/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook a2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook f1→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Ra2 (rook b2→a2).
3. Best move: Rxa2+ — rook a1→a2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies bxa2 (pawn b3→a2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bd1+ — bishop e2→d1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Rxa2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1Q6/1p1b4/4p3/1qBp1p2/k1nP4/1pP5/rP2B2P/5R1K b - - 13 42

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