Chess Puzzle #3SX8j — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/b1; knight g4; pawns c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; rooks e4/h8; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook h8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb6 — rook b1→b6, captures bishop. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
4. Best move: Rxf8 — rook a8→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, sacrifice, skewer. The key move Rxb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/pp6/1b1p4/4p1p1/4r1Np/2P4P/5PP1/RR4K1 b - - 1 26

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