Chess Puzzle #5Ipcj — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks d1/d4; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks c7/f8; pawns a7/b5/d5/e7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook c7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d4→d5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen d6→d5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd5 (rook d7→d5, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qe6+ — queen e3→e6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p1r1p3/3q2p1/1p1p3p/3R4/1P2Q2P/P4PP1/3R2K1 b - - 1 26

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