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

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rook a1; bishop c1; pawns a4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen c3; rook d7; pawns a6/b5/f6/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb1 — rook a1→b1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc2 — queen c3→c2. Opponent replies Ra1 (rook b1→a1).
3. Best move: f5 — pawn f6→f5. Opponent replies Qb4 (queen g4→b4).
4. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d7→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
5. Best move: Rxc1 — rook d1→c1, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook a1→c1, captures rook).
6. Best move: Qxc1 — queen c2→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, very long. The key move is Qc2.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/3r4/p4p1p/1p4p1/P5Q1/2q4P/5PP1/R1B3K1 w - - 0 27

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