Chess Puzzle #YbJCd — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rook c7; pawns a6/f3/g2/h3. Black: king c3; knight c6; pawns a7/b2/c4/e5/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Na5 — knight c6→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa7 — rook c7→a7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nb3 (knight a5→b3).
3. Best move: Rb7 — rook a7→b7. Opponent replies Nd2+ (knight b3→d2, gives check).
4. Best move: Ka2 — king b1→a2. Opponent replies b1=Q+ (pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen, gives check).
5. Best move: Rxb1 — rook b7→b1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, very long. The key move Rxa7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1R4p/P1n3p1/4pp2/2p5/2k2P1P/1p4P1/1K6 b - - 1 50

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