Chess Puzzle #9H9La — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks d1/e4; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rook c8; bishops d7/f6; knight e6; pawns a5/b5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd7+ — rook d1→d7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e7→d7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxe6+ — bishop b3→e6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d7→c7).
4. Best move: Bxc8 — bishop e6→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, exposed king, long, middlegame, skewer. The key move Rxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/3bk1pp/4nb2/pp6/4R3/1B6/PP4PP/1K1R4 b - - 3 24

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