Chess Puzzle #EBr22 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rooks a1/c3; bishop b3; pawns e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a6/b8; bishop e4; pawns a2/d5/f5/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra3 — rook a6→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxd5+ — bishop b3→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd5 (bishop e4→d5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rxa3 — rook c3→a3, captures rook. Opponent replies Rb2+ (rook b8→b2, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke3 — king f2→e3.

Tactical themes

defensive move, discovered attack, endgame, equality, long. The key move Bxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/8/r7/3pPpp1/4b3/1BR5/p4KPP/R7 b - - 3 42

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