Chess Puzzle #tHs09 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e2; rooks d1/d2; knight c2; pawns a3/b2/c3/e3/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen a7; rooks a8/b8; bishop g7; pawns a5/b4/c4/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: axb4 — pawn a5→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen e2→c4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rd8+ (rook d2→d8, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook b8→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd8+ (rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check).
5. Best move: Rxd8 — rook a8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, very long. The key move axb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rr4k1/q4pb1/6pp/p7/1pp5/P1P1P1P1/1PNRQPP1/1K1R4 w - - 0 29

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