Chess Puzzle #qpy9r — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook c1; bishop d2; knight h2; pawns a3/b4/d4/e3. Black: king d7; rooks d8/h8; bishops e4/e7; pawns c6/c7/d6/f7/g2/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra8 — rook d8→a8. Opponent replies Qb7 (queen a7→b7).
3. Best move: Rhb8 — rook h8→b8. Opponent replies bxc6+ (pawn b5→c6, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kd8 — king d7→d8. Opponent replies Ba5 (bishop d2→a5).
5. Best move: Rxb7 — rook b8→b7, captures queen. Opponent replies cxb7 (pawn c6→b7, captures rook).
6. Best move: Bxb7 — bishop e4→b7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

clearance, defensive move, equality, middlegame, trapped piece, very long, X-ray attack. The key move is Ra8.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/Q1pkbp1p/2pp4/8/1P1Pb3/P3P3/3B2pN/2R3K1 w - - 4 24

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