Chess Puzzle #tOl9T — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks b1/c2; knight c7; pawns b7/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a4/b8; bishop g7; pawns d6/e6/e7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook a4→a1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa1 — rook b1→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxa1 (bishop g7→a1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxe6 — knight c7→e6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxb7 (rook b8→b7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
5. Best move: Nd8+ — knight e6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f7→f6).
6. Best move: Nxb7 — knight d8→b7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, very long. The key move Rxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/1PN1p1bp/3pp1p1/8/r7/8/2R2PPP/1R4K1 b - - 0 28

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