Chess Puzzle #AGxIf — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rook c1; bishop e3; pawns a6/f2/h2. Black: king h3; rook c4; knight c3; pawns b4/d5/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh2 — king h3→h2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c4→c8).
3. Best move: Bf4+ — bishop e3→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h2→g2).
4. Best move: Bb8 — bishop f4→b8.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is a7.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/P4p2/3p4/1pr5/2nKB2k/5P1P/2R5 b - - 2 38

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