Chess Puzzle #9frQM — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook c7; knight f3; pawns d6/e6/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; rooks a1/a8; pawns a2/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook a1→d1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Rxa8 — rook c8→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long. The key move is d7.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/2R3pp/3PPp2/8/7P/5N2/p4PPK/r7 b - - 0 38

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