Chess Puzzle #AA94a — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a7/b6; knight c4; pawns f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; rooks c8/h8; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook c8→c4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b6→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c4→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook b8→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc8 (king d8→c8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rk3r/R4ppp/1R2p3/3p4/2N5/8/5PPP/6K1 b - - 0 29

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