Chess Puzzle #1tMSI — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rook c1; pawns a3/b2/d5/e4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; rook c5; pawns b3/d6/e7/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: dxc5 — pawn d6→c5, captures rook. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a3→a4).
3. Best move: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Opponent replies d6 (pawn d5→d6).
4. Best move: exd6 — pawn e7→d6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move dxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4pp2/3p2p1/2rP3p/4P2P/Pp4P1/1P3PK1/2R5 w - - 0 33

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