Chess Puzzle #8Ekqx — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook a5; pawns a4/e5/f3/g2/g3. Black: king g7; knight c3; pawns c4/d5/e6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra7 — rook a5→a7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Opponent replies a5 (pawn a4→a5).
3. Best move: Nb5 — knight c3→b5. Opponent replies Rb7 (rook a7→b7).
4. Best move: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Opponent replies Rxb5 (rook b7→b5, captures knight).
5. Best move: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Opponent replies Rb1 (rook b5→b1).
6. Best move: c3 — pawn c4→c3.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The key move is d4.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pk1/4p1pp/R2pP3/P1p5/2n2PP1/6PK/8 w - - 0 49

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