Chess Puzzle #A8IgM — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/f1; bishop e4; pawns c6/f2/f4/h2. Black: king g8; rooks d8/f8; knight a3; pawns b4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8 — rook d1→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook f8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook d8→f8).
4. Best move: Rc1 — rook f1→c1.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move Rxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/5ppp/2P1p3/8/1p2BP2/n7/5P1P/3R1RK1 b - - 0 27

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