Chess Puzzle #2cNTS — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen d5; rooks b3/c5; pawns e6/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks b8/e7; pawns a5/b4/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb4 — rook b3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen a2→d5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook b4→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Rxd5 — rook c5→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/4r2p/4P1p1/p1RQ4/1p6/1R3PPK/q6P/8 b - - 1 32

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