Chess Puzzle #pW36S — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen c6; rooks d1/h1; bishop d2; pawns b2/e4/h4. Black: king h7; queen a1; rooks a8/f2; pawns a7/b3/d4/e5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxb3 — king c2→b3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook a8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king b3→c4).
3. Best move: Qa2+ — queen a1→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king c4→c5).
4. Best move: Rb6 — rook b8→b6. Opponent replies Qd7+ (queen c6→d7, gives check).
5. Best move: Rf7 — rook f2→f7. Opponent replies Ra1 (rook d1→a1).
6. Best move: Qb3 — queen a2→b3.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, middlegame, very long. The key move is Rb8+.

Position data

FEN: r7/p6k/2Q5/4p3/3pP2P/1p6/1PKB1r2/q2R3R w - - 0 30

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