Chess Puzzle #03lR8 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks e3/e4; bishops a2/b4; pawns a3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks c8/d4; bishop g7; knight b2; pawns a6/b5/e5/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd3 — knight b2→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook e4→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e5→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd3 — rook e3→d3, captures knight. Opponent replies Rc1+ (rook c8→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, capturing the defender, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5pb1/p5pp/1p2p3/1B1rR3/P3R2P/Bn3PP1/6K1 b - - 9 31

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