Chess Puzzle #00ieR — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook b1; pawns a4/b5/e5/h2. Black: king g8; rook e3; pawns b7/d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e3→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d5→d4).
3. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Rxb5 (rook e5→b5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxb5 — rook b1→b5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3p1p/4p1p1/1P1pP3/P7/4r3/7P/1R4K1 b - - 0 33

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.