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

Position

White: king g1; queen f1; rooks c1/c2; pawns a4/b5/e3/e5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king b8; queen f3; rooks d8/f8; knight a7; pawns a5/d5/e6/g5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook d8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook c8→c2, captures rook).
3. Best move: bxa7+ — pawn b6→a7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b8→a8).
4. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move bxa7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r1r2/n5p1/4p2p/pP1pP1p1/P5P1/4Pq1P/2R2P2/2R2QK1 b - - 2 34

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