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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/a3; bishop g3; knight e5; pawns c5/d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks a7/a8; bishop d8; knight b8; pawns b5/c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd7 — knight b8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa7 — rook a3→a7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxa7 (rook a8→a7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxa7 — rook a1→a7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa7 (queen b7→a7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxa7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn1b2k1/rq3ppp/2p1p3/1pPpN3/3P4/R2QP1BP/5PP1/R5K1 b - - 6 23

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