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

Position

White: king g1; rook f1; bishop c7; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook e8; bishop g5; knight d7; pawns a7/c4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc4 — knight d2→c4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc8 — rook e8→c8. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f1→f7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Ne5 (knight c4→e5).
4. Best move: Be3+ — bishop g5→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
5. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop e3→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c3→d4, captures bishop).
6. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c7→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
7. Best move: Nxe5 — knight d7→e5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, very long. The key move is Rc8.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p1Bn1ppp/8/6b1/2pP4/2P5/PP1N2PP/5RK1 w - - 0 20

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