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

Position

White: king b1; queen d5; rooks d1/h1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g4/h5. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks b5/b8; pawns a5/c4/c7/d6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen d5→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb2+ — rook b5→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxb2 (bishop c1→b2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf2 — queen f6→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe8+ (queen c6→e8, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxe8 — rook b8→e8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/2p2pp1/3p1q1p/pr1Q3P/2p3P1/2P5/PP3P2/1KBR3R w - - 0 22

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