Chess Puzzle #Z5M4P — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b4; rooks d1/g1; knights c4/e5; pawns a2/d4/f2/f5/h3. Black: king g8; queen e4; rooks b8/f8; bishop f6; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd6 — knight c4→d6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rfc8+ — rook f8→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc8 (knight d6→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxb4 — rook b8→b4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move is Rfc8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/p4ppp/5b2/4NP2/1QNPq3/7P/P4P2/2KR2R1 w - - 1 24

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