Chess Puzzle #VD3xS — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks d1/h1; pawns b3/c4/d3/d4/f2/g2/h6. Black: king c7; rooks a6/a8; pawns b4/b7/c6/e4/e6/f5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc1 — king b1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Opponent replies fxe3 (pawn f2→e3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a6→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
4. Best move: R8a2+ — rook a8→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king d2→e1).
5. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook a1→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd1 (king e1→d1, captures rook).
6. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d1→e2).
7. Best move: Rxh1 — rook a1→h1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, queenside attack, rook endgame, skewer, very long. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/1pk5/r1p1p2P/5p2/1pPPp3/1P1P4/5PP1/1K1R3R w - - 1 29

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