Chess Puzzle #9I2bR — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook e2; bishop f4; pawns b3/c3/d4/g3. Black: king d5; rook h8; pawns a5/b5/c6/e4/f5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh2 — rook e2→h2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh2 — rook h8→h2, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king g1→h2, captures rook).
3. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies c4+ (pawn c3→c4, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxd4 — king d5→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c4→b5, captures pawn).
5. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c6→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b3→a4, captures pawn).
6. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Rxh2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 7r/8/2p5/pp1k1p2/3PpB2/1PP3P1/4R3/6K1 w - - 0 44

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