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

Position

White: king f2; rooks a1/e1; knight e2; pawns a5/d4/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks c2/e8; knight d5; pawns a7/b6/f7/g5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: axb6 — pawn a5→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Opponent replies Nf4 (knight d5→f4).
5. Best move: Kxe3 — king f2→e3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, endgame, very long. The key move axb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4p1p/1p6/P2n2p1/3P4/4P2P/2r1NKP1/R3R3 b - - 0 28

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