Chess Puzzle #18OUK — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rook a6; bishop g6; pawns a3/b4/d4/e5/h2/h5. Black: king g8; rook e7; bishop g7; knight f7; pawns b5/c7/d5/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd8 — knight f7→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8 — rook a6→a8. Opponent replies Bxe5+ (bishop g7→e5, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: dxe5 — pawn d4→e5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook a8→d8, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move is Ra8.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2p1rnb1/R5Bp/1p1pP1pP/1P1P4/P5K1/7P/8 b - - 0 35

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