Chess Puzzle #AKUQ5 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen d7; rook b1; pawns a3/b2/d3/e4. Black: king h8; rooks b8/h2; bishop d6; knight d4; pawns e5/e6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb5 — knight d4→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg1 — rook b1→g1. Opponent replies Nc3+ (knight b5→c3, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka1 — king a2→a1. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook b8→g8).
4. Best move: Rxg8+ — rook g1→g8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move Rxg8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/3Q4/3bp3/4p3/3nP3/P2P4/KP5r/1R6 b - - 9 35

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