Chess Puzzle #EsGI0 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rook d7; pawns a5/b6/g3/h3. Black: king g8; bishops a6/b4; pawns d2/e7/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb5 — bishop a6→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Opponent replies d1=Q (pawn d2→d1, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: Rxd1 — rook d8→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3Rpp2/bP4p1/P7/1b6/4K1PP/3p4/8 b - - 1 41

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