Chess Puzzle #9k0M5 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks d1/f1; bishop c4; pawns a2/b3/c3/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen a5; rooks a8/f8; bishop f6; pawns a7/e5/f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf7 — bishop c4→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rab8 — rook a8→b8. Opponent replies Qd5 (queen b7→d5).
3. Best move: Rb5 — rook b8→b5. Opponent replies Qc4 (queen d5→c4).
4. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Rab8.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/pQ3pk1/5b1p/q3p1p1/2B5/1PPP4/P4PPP/3R1RK1 w - - 3 17

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