Chess Puzzle #8HkGM — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1456 · Intermediate · advantage, endgame, exposed king, long.

Position

White: king g2; rooks b1/e2; bishop g5; pawn h4. Black: king a6; rooks d7/e5; bishop d4; pawns a7/e4/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb7 — rook d7→b7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra2+ — rook e2→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Ra5 (rook e5→a5).
  3. Best move: Rxa5+ — rook a2→a5, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa5 (king a6→a5, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxb7 — rook b1→b7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxa5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p2r3p/k5p1/4rpB1/3bp2P/8/4R1K1/1R6 b - - 1 40

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.