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

Position

White: king d5; rooks a1/b1; pawns a5/b6/f3/g3/h4. Black: king f7; rooks a8/b7; bishop e7; pawns c5/d6/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rab8 — rook a8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Rxb6 (rook b7→b6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxb6 — rook b1→b6, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb6 (rook b8→b6, captures rook).
4. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: r7/1r2bkp1/1P1p3p/P1pKp3/7P/5PP1/8/RR6 b - - 0 34

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.