Chess Puzzle #0AEQU — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/d4; bishop f4; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c6; rooks d5/h8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook d5→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd6+ — rook d4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c6→b5).
3. Best move: a4+ — pawn a2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king b5→a4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move is Rd6+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/pp3ppp/2k1b3/3r4/3R1B2/7P/PP3PP1/2R3K1 b - - 1 19

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