Chess Puzzle #4TCVw — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/d1; bishop e3; knight e2; pawns b2/b5/e4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop e7; knight d7; pawns a6/c4/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa8 — rook a1→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa8 (queen d8→a8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/3nbppp/p1p1p3/1P2P3/2p1P3/4B3/1PQ1NPPP/R2R2K1 b - - 0 15

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