Chess Puzzle #2x9CR — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; bishops a7/f5; pawns a4/b5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rook c8; bishop a8; knight b4; pawns c3/e5/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook c8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc5+ — bishop a7→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king e7→e8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd8 (king e8→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxb4 — bishop c5→b4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: b1r5/B3k1pp/5p2/1P2pB2/Pn6/2p5/5PPP/3R2K1 b - - 3 38

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