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

Position

White: king d3; rook d7; knight e5; pawns a4/c3/f4/g3/h4. Black: king b6; rook e8; bishop c1; pawns a5/b3/c5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh7 — rook d7→h7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e8→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f4→e5, captures rook).
3. Best move: c4+ — pawn c5→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d3→e2).
4. Best move: b2 — pawn b3→b2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/3R3p/1k4p1/p1p1N3/P4P1P/1pPK2P1/8/2b5 w - - 4 42

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