Chess Puzzle #vwr2L — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rooks b1/b7; pawns a4/c5/d4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king d8; queen c6; rooks f2/f8; pawns a7/e3/e6/g3/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa5+ — queen b4→a5, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ke8 — king d8→e8. Opponent replies Rb8+ (rook b7→b8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf7 — king e8→f7. Opponent replies Rxf8+ (rook b8→f8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxf8 — king f7→f8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qd8+ (queen a5→d8, gives check).
5. Best move: Kf7 — king f8→f7. Opponent replies d5 (pawn d4→d5).
6. Best move: Qxd5 — queen c6→d5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen d8→d5, captures queen).
7. Best move: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move is Ke8.

Position data

FEN: 3k1r2/pR6/2q1p3/2P1P3/PQ1P3p/4p1pP/5rP1/1R4K1 w - - 0 35

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