Chess Puzzle #po3sQ — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d4; rooks f1/h1; pawns b2/e3/e5/f4/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook a8; pawns a5/c3/e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb8 — rook a8→b8. Opponent replies Qxe4 (queen d4→e4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qb2+ — queen a2→b2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king c1→d1).
4. Best move: Rd8+ — rook b8→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd4 (queen e4→d4).
5. Best move: Rxd4+ — rook d8→d4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c3→d4, captures rook).
6. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/6pp/8/p3P3/3QpP2/2p1P2P/qP6/2K2R1R w - - 0 31

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