Chess Puzzle #7iiJi — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a3; rook b6; bishop c5; pawns a2/b3/g2/h3. Black: king a8; queen d7; pawns a6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc7 — queen d7→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa6+ — rook b6→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a8→b8).
3. Best move: Bd6 — bishop c5→d6. Opponent replies Qxd6+ (queen c7→d6, captures bishop, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxd6 — rook a6→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move Rxa6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: k7/3q1ppp/pR6/2B5/8/KP5P/P5P1/8 b - - 2 37

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