Chess Puzzle #C0hQi — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a7/d1; bishop d5; pawns a2/c4/e3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b8/d8; bishop f6; knight e5; pawns c5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra8 — rook b8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa8 — rook a7→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxa8 (rook d8→a8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxa8 — bishop d5→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r1r2k1/R4p1p/5bp1/2pBn3/2P5/4P1P1/P6P/3R2K1 b - - 4 23

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