Chess Puzzle #5Msr3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/a7; bishop e2; pawns b2/e3/g2/h2. Black: king b8; rooks d8/e8; bishop g6; pawns b6/c6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b8→c7).
3. Best move: R1a7+ — rook a1→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c7→d6).
4. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook a8→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long, master. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1rr3/R5pp/1pp3b1/8/8/4P3/1P2B1PP/R5K1 b - - 0 28

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