Chess Puzzle #jD3qP — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rooks a1/b5; pawns a3/d6/e5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h7; rook d7; bishop b7; knight d3; pawns c2/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c1=Q+ — pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1 — rook a1→c1, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxc1 (knight d3→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxb7 — rook b5→b7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxb7 (rook d7→b7, captures rook).
4. Best move: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Opponent replies Nd3 (knight c1→d3).
5. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Opponent replies Rb1+ (rook b7→b1, gives check).
6. Best move: Ke2 — king f1→e2. Opponent replies Nf4+ (knight d3→f4, gives check).
7. Best move: Kd2 — king e2→d2. Opponent replies Rb2+ (rook b1→b2, gives check).
8. Best move: Kd1 — king d2→d1.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move Rxc1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1b1r2pk/3P3p/1R2P3/8/P2n1P2/2p3PP/R4K2 b - - 1 35

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