Chess Puzzle #963BM — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks b7/f1; bishop c5; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a2/a8; knight c4; pawns d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook a2→a1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa1 — rook f1→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxa1 (rook a8→a1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Bd4+ — bishop c5→d4, gives check. Opponent replies e5 (pawn e6→e5).
5. Best move: Bxa1 — bishop d4→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, very long. The key move Rxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1R3p1p/4p1p1/2Bp4/2n5/7P/r4PPK/5R2 b - - 1 25

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