Chess Puzzle #ssA6U — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f3; rooks b4/f1; knight e2; pawns a2/b6/c3/h3. Black: king f8; queen h4; rook e3; bishop e5; knight c4; pawns a6/b7/d5/f6/g6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen f3→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3+ — rook e3→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc3 (knight e2→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qg5+ — queen h4→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king c1→c2).
4. Best move: Ne3+ — knight c4→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king c2→d3).
5. Best move: Nxd5 — knight e3→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/1p4p1/pP3pp1/3pb3/1Rn4q/2P1rQ1P/P3N3/2K2R2 w - - 2 36

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