Chess Puzzle #IjzW9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks b3/c5; knight a2; pawns c7/f2/g2/h3. Black: king d7; rooks a6/a8; bishop c8; pawns a3/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook a6→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c5→c6, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxc6 (king d7→c6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rb8 — rook b3→b8. Opponent replies Ra4 (rook a8→a4).
4. Best move: Rxc8 — rook b8→c8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, interference, long. The key move Rxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b5/2Pk1pp1/r3p2p/2R5/8/pR5P/N4PP1/6K1 b - - 5 40

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