Chess Puzzle #LAUst — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook b1; bishop f3; pawns a7/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook a4; bishop c6; pawns b2/d4/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1 — rook a4→a1. Opponent replies Bxc6 (bishop f3→c6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook a1→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
4. Best move: Ra1 — rook b1→a1. Opponent replies a8=Q+ (pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen, gives check).
5. Best move: Rxa8 — rook a1→a8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, pin, very long. The key move Rxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/P4p1p/2b3p1/8/r2pP3/5B1P/1p3PP1/1R4K1 w - - 1 42

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