Chess Puzzle #pv152 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b4; rooks e1/g5; bishop d3; pawns a3/c2/c4/f3/g6/h4. Black: king d6; rook c8; bishop e6; knight b6; pawns a6/b5/d4/e5/f5/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a5+ — pawn a6→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa5 (king b4→a5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nd5 — knight b6→d5. Opponent replies b6 (pawn b5→b6).
4. Best move: Ra8+ — rook c8→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Ba6 (bishop d3→a6).
5. Best move: Bc8 — bishop e6→c8.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, endgame, master, quiet move, very long. The key move is a5+.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/6p1/pn1kb1P1/1p2ppRp/1KPp3P/P2B1P2/2P5/4R3 w - - 2 31

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