Chess Puzzle #ka27m — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f7; knight b5; pawns a2/b3/d4/e5/g2. Black: king c8; queen g3; rooks h2/h8; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/g4/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd6+ — knight b5→d6, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kb8 — king c8→b8. Opponent replies Rxb7+ (rook f7→b7, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Opponent replies Rb8+ (rook b7→b8, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxb8 — rook h8→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Kb8.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/pp3Rp1/4p3/1N1pP3/3P2p1/1P4q1/P3Q1Pr/R5K1 w - - 4 22

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