Retro problem

Composed by Thomas Rayner Dawson (England)

Published in Neuburger Wochenschach, 29th Dec. 1911

Demonstrate the position prior to the last player's last five moves.

Astonishing one! I really admire works of Dawson. He was simply a genius!

There is something wrong with your diagram. White is missing just 1 N but black has made 2 pawn captures.

Perchance the bishop on f8 should be black not white? In which case the last moves were -1...c7-c5 -2. g6-g7 Rc6-c4 -3. g5-g6 Rg6-c6 -4. g4-g5 Rg8-g6 -5. g3-g4 gxBh6.

This looks to be the intention. A fairly simple unlocking.

Yes, there is a mistake in the position. The bishop on f8 should be black.

Nevertheless, the given solution is correct.