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

Position

White: king d1; rook a5; knight g3; pawns c2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king b6; rook f8; pawns b4/c4/d4/e3/f5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf5 — rook a5→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxf5 — rook f8→f5, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxf5 (knight g3→f5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kc5 — king b6→c5. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c2→c3).
4. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/7p/1k6/R4p2/1ppp1P2/4p1N1/2P3PP/3K4 w - - 1 44

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