Chess Puzzle #5C8Ly — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king a2; rooks c1/d3; pawns a3/d7. Black: king g8; rooks d8/e6; pawns a4/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re7 — rook e6→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8 — rook c1→c8. Opponent replies Rxd7 (rook e7→d7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook d7→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d3→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, X-ray attack. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/3P1p2/4r1p1/8/p7/P2R4/K7/2R5 b - - 0 42

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