Chess Puzzle #7kA1a — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c4; rooks d1/g1; bishop g5; pawns a2/b2/e5/h4. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks b8/h8; bishop f5; pawns a7/c5/d4/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb4 — rook b8→b4. Opponent replies Rd8+ (rook d4→d8, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxd8 — queen c7→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc5 (queen c4→c5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qc8 — queen d8→c8. Opponent replies Qxc8+ (queen c5→c8, captures queen, gives check).
5. Best move: Bxc8 — bishop f5→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move is Rb4.

Position data

FEN: 1r2k2r/p1q5/6p1/2p1PbBp/2Qp3P/8/PP6/2KR2R1 w k - 2 27

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