Chess Puzzle #6tSVy — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks d1/f1; knight h3; pawns a3/b2/d4/f2. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook d8; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qe5+ (queen f5→e5, gives check).
3. Best move: Rf4 — rook d4→f4. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g7→g5).
4. Best move: Rg1 — rook f1→g1.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, hanging piece, long, pin. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp3ppp/4p3/5q2/3P4/P6N/1P3P1K/3R1R2 b - - 2 23

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