Chess Puzzle #ZziL7 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rooks c4/d2; pawns a3/b2/d3/f3/g4/h3. Black: king e5; rooks d4/d8; pawns b6/c5/f7/g5/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b2→b4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4 — rook d4→c4, captures rook. Opponent replies dxc4 (pawn d3→c4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd2+ — rook d8→d2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd2 (king e2→d2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Kd4 — king e5→d4. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b4→c5, captures pawn).
5. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b6→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kc2 (king d2→c2).
6. Best move: Kxc4 — king d4→c4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, rook endgame, very long, zugzwang. The key move Rxd2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/5p2/1p6/2p1k1p1/2Rr2Pp/P2P1P1P/1P1RK3/8 w - - 2 38

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