Chess Puzzle #8RA8K — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f2; bishop e3; pawns a2/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b7/d8; knight c3; pawns a7/c5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd1 — knight c3→d1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd2 — rook f2→d2. Opponent replies Rxd2 (rook d8→d2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxd2 — bishop e3→d2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rb2 (rook b7→b2).
4. Best move: Rxd1 — rook a1→d1, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, capturing the defender, endgame, long. The key move is Rd2.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pr3ppp/8/2p1P3/5P2/2n1B1P1/P4R1P/R5K1 b - - 3 21

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