Chess Puzzle #0vwip — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen f3; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; knights b3/b5; pawns b2/b6/c3/d4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king e7; queen b8; rooks a8/c8; bishops g6/h6; knight d7; pawns a6/e6/f5/f7/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa8 — rook a1→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa8 (queen b8→a8, captures rook).
3. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rqr5/3nkp2/pP2p1bb/1N3p1p/3P3P/1NP2QP1/1P3P2/R3KB1R b KQ - 0 20

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