Chess Puzzle #4Z0cq — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c6; pawns a3/b4/d6/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook b8; knight a1; pawns a5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb4 — pawn a5→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook b8→d8).
3. Best move: Rc8 — rook c6→c8. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
4. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, pin. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5pp1/2RPp2p/p7/1P6/P5P1/5P1P/n5K1 b - - 0 35

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