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

Position

White: king h1; queen e1; rooks a3/c6; knight e6; pawns a2/b2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king b7; queen g6; rooks d8/f8; pawns a7/b5/d2/e7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7+ — rook c6→c7, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kb8 — king b7→b8. Opponent replies Rb7+ (rook c7→b7, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxb7 — king b8→b7, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxd8+ (knight e6→d8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Ka8 — king b7→a8. Opponent replies Rxa7+ (rook a3→a7, captures pawn, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxa7 — king a8→a7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxe7+ (queen e1→e7, captures pawn, gives check).
6. Best move: Kb6 — king a7→b6.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, very long. The key move is Kb8.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r2/pk2p1pp/2R1N1q1/1p6/8/R4P2/PP1p2PP/4Q2K w - - 1 26

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